tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54057685793118271252024-03-12T22:15:10.947-07:00Elkhorn Creek Ranch EchoesStories from a western North Dakota badlands ranch.
Lovin' our way of life at the end of the red dirt road.
#westernND
#northdakotalegendary
#ranchlife
#fromtheoneandahalfpercentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-14535216384004452682018-02-27T14:56:00.000-08:002018-02-27T15:13:03.890-08:00Farmers and Ranchers, a challenge to tell your stories - #fromtheoneandahalfpercentAre you in the 1.5%?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRdJH6z3qH9Cpb6xUAYdiG9DIhb848utc28QiDUTGk-B1AVGE2XQtZ_8VCQZ3XO1QPeVqhfGW4SnwsNR5ze_xoD-eczGCIc5jOKrSnXJn0UzrR5HDv_j67wZA97gzD99TtDzQ2aLsOJsf/s1600/lifeouthere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1600" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhRdJH6z3qH9Cpb6xUAYdiG9DIhb848utc28QiDUTGk-B1AVGE2XQtZ_8VCQZ3XO1QPeVqhfGW4SnwsNR5ze_xoD-eczGCIc5jOKrSnXJn0UzrR5HDv_j67wZA97gzD99TtDzQ2aLsOJsf/s320/lifeouthere.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am. Many of my neighbors are too. We are the small minority of the American population that produces food to feed 330 million Americans, as well as a lot of folks in other counties that the United States exports to.<br />
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I am super proud of what we do, how we do it, and why we do the things we do. Most of the 1.5% share this pride. However, we have made some critical errors in our proud 'doing'. Those errors have led to some serious unintended consequences in the recent history of American agriculture. In our business of 'doing' we have failed to 'tell' and 'explain' what and why.<br />
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My challenge to you today if you are part of the 1.5%, start telling your story. Tell your farming and ranching story. Start listening to and understanding concerns. Start finding conversations in areas of common ground. Start communicating. Productively. Our prolonged silence in agriculture has created a communication void resulting in distrust from our consumers. The only way to restore trust and gain understanding is to communicate.<br />
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The host blog of this challenge to farmers and ranchers was established six years ago and has all but become a digit Christmas newsletter the last three years, a failure on my part. In the first three years, when it was actively published, it brought 30,000 readers to Elkhorn Creek Ranch. It allowed readers the opportunity to see what a day in the life of a typical rancher looks like and explains why we do many of the things that we do. Understanding 'what', 'how', and 'why' is essential to building back trust.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQArr8Z_V9dnliSemBU7asJEfESMlGeP6qxJDtZZheMIB0S5t5HYFvcl83_aT1sKRlr646fbufiTTyjvrxHZkwh61b_m2X86JDb5yl_lIfrkRA8FarAoPg5MlPcq-XiCqH73ydsp-SnV8K/s1600/bestprize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1600" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQArr8Z_V9dnliSemBU7asJEfESMlGeP6qxJDtZZheMIB0S5t5HYFvcl83_aT1sKRlr646fbufiTTyjvrxHZkwh61b_m2X86JDb5yl_lIfrkRA8FarAoPg5MlPcq-XiCqH73ydsp-SnV8K/s320/bestprize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So what I am asking:<br />
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1 - share your stories<br />
2 - hashtag your sharing to a common hashtag<br />
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<b>#fromtheoneandahalfpercent </b></h2>
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I'm also going to share a webpage from our website. It contains some recommended reading and a couple videos. I encourage you to help build the communication void in a productive way!<br />
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<a href="https://www.bestangusandquarterhorses.com/from-the-one-and-a-half-percent">https://www.bestangusandquarterhorses.com/from-the-one-and-a-half-percent</a><br />
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Now, lets get to building trust by telling our stories and lets hashtag them for ease of finding!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-84446850414968835392017-12-18T09:42:00.004-08:002017-12-22T12:54:36.874-08:00Our Best of 2017!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQpPOZtwZKHWNYQ6oc_dEC6vUakq94NUpqmp5m-1LNENanYC5tjwJvQwja1Dd1JjWCSXml9qaZu5pNoyeO73VOSvihB7UzL7alSg16hrWzp7qDLR1vAYrbET-clnw-h5mYs67UKF7Bbmx/s1600/IMG_7358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQpPOZtwZKHWNYQ6oc_dEC6vUakq94NUpqmp5m-1LNENanYC5tjwJvQwja1Dd1JjWCSXml9qaZu5pNoyeO73VOSvihB7UzL7alSg16hrWzp7qDLR1vAYrbET-clnw-h5mYs67UKF7Bbmx/s640/IMG_7358.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHRISTmas greetings from our home to yours!</td></tr>
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2017 - Our Best!<br />
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We have been truly blessed in 2017 with many things, the most notable, the opportunity for spiritual growth and to feel God's love and comfort.<br />
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The Lord has offered up many opportunities to seek Him. By simply opening up space in our hearts for Him to work, 2017 has truly been one of the BEST years yet! AMEN!<br />
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The Ranch - It continues to provide for us and allows us a lifestyle of flexibility and risk taking. <u>Enough flexibility</u> to both be involved on numerous community and organization boards locally and on a state level (where I have found joy again in this work in 2017) and to have quality family time. <u>Enough risk</u> taking (with unpredictable weather and cattle and crop markets) to keep our noses to the grind and our souls remembering He is always enough.<br />
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The Girls - Our cows, mares and the "Good Dog, Rayna", continue to be a source of pride and they bring joy to the arena of 'work' for us. I look back on our little journeys of 'animal husbandry'. It started for me as a child, generationally feeding cows, horses and chicken with my parents on days when I didn't have school. It started for Pete as a very deliberate decision to have 4-H livestock projects and to purchase his first McCumber Angus heifer in 1986. Over 40 and 30 years later I am just so very, very thankful that those opportunities existed and that they fostered lasting dreams and left lasting passion and opportunities for 'growing and raising things'.<br />
<a href="https://www.bestangusandquarterhorses.com/">https://www.bestangusandquarterhorses.com/ </a><br />
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Home - It's where the heart is. Our hearts and our ranch are both here. <br />
<a href="https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEViwySD1aKlUAXrcPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=voices+of+watford+city&fr=yhs-pty-pty_extension&hspart=pty&hsimp=yhs-pty_extension#id=1&vid=299b989b39a5caba046bddeb96feaabe&action=view">https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;_ylt=A0LEViwySD1aKlUAXrcPxQt.;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=voices+of+watford+city&fr=yhs-pty-pty_extension&hspart=pty&hsimp=yhs-pty_extension#id=1&vid=299b989b39a5caba046bddeb96feaabe&action=view</a><br />
After showing Kyle this recently released 'Voices of Watford City', he told me this: "Mom, I am so thankful we live here. I love everything about living here. I never want to live any place else." The community is making a home for our future. I'm so proud to be from this place. It's people are God fearing, blue and white collar professional, get it done, take care of your neighbor folks. They are amazing.<br />
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Speaking of our future, Kyle is all things wonderful and brings us more blessings and joy than we could ever imagine possible. From 4-H pigs, steers, horses, photography; to football, basketball, baseball, ninjaz; to third grade music, PE, math, reading, science (his favorites in no particular order) - he is the great encourager, collaborator, stirrer of the goofy pot, and diplomatic keeper of the peace. He says his prayers every night and as of late has been especially vigilant requesting fast and complete healing of Carson Wentz's knee and our good friend and local community leader, Gene Veeder (who among many other things helped him pick out his first puppy, Rayna). <br />
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During this CHRISTmas season, may you find stillness with Him and peace knowing HE is always enough.<br />
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Best Wishes in 2018 - Pete, Vawnita & Kyle Best<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle's last day of 2nd grade at WCES</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd grade Valentine box - X wing fighter</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of 3rd grade WCES</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd grade flag football</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer baseball</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9th birthday party - Nerf gun wars!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing buttes and checking spring pairs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaden and Kyle's first fall roundup - pasture 9-1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding to gather, fall of 2017 in pasture 9-2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall roundup riding to gather pairs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbzak8VVYof7oDPk7GfzcqQaEz6olZZnjP892g7kOT_QBx41HJqrl-kbdAv9vsw9TXXMjFPFiiaqaBDjcGoxEUdxuI9GfV9e99Uzmp7noYRUxC22rSYxiPJZZdtdJ2wKGGbkscapOi5gy/s1600/IMG_7960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbzak8VVYof7oDPk7GfzcqQaEz6olZZnjP892g7kOT_QBx41HJqrl-kbdAv9vsw9TXXMjFPFiiaqaBDjcGoxEUdxuI9GfV9e99Uzmp7noYRUxC22rSYxiPJZZdtdJ2wKGGbkscapOi5gy/s320/IMG_7960.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy and Richard filming sale bulls, April 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaden and Kyle with their first 4-H steers, November 2017, Coal and Beefy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter grazing on the Kelly place, December 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall gather, pasture 9-2</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rayna and a fall sunrise in the beautiful badlands</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tracy and Maddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rayna and fresh cut grass, summer 2017 (irrigated grass I might add)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys watching their steers eat</td></tr>
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Walking the 4-H pigs during one of the only rains we had in the months of May, June or July. We were thankful to be walking in the rain!</div>
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We had a couple trips this year. One was a road trip out to Seattle for Lyle's Aunt Naomi's 90th Birthday party. We drove out and stopped along the way to visit several Angus ranches, meet numerous cousins and hike and raft Gracier Park. It was really great to see LOTS of family from the Marsten, Dahl, Best and Tang sides, some for the first time!</div>
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The other was a trip of a lifetime, the Best family's Grandma Mercedes Trip. This year Sue and Lyle hosted the family to Quepos, Costa Rica (on the Pacific side) at a resort that is world renowned for its eco-friendly design. It supports a rainforest canopy that hosts Squirrel monkeys (which are endangered) and many other tropical mammals, reptiles and birds. The Costa Rican people are an amazing people as well. Truly, a trip of a lifetime.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOPBZL7HTGxPd4txgKKBtmMEneswaFTsKGORsxocDttGvgPAPNu4k7RYZyB8sPn7xsBoQ1zWEP6er0f1XbjxNX7Snb-Qx_a-guXQtlPMMlPVBESb95sP-YVDqJHK3Cnttkm3xDMWPIjC6/s1600/IMG_0887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOPBZL7HTGxPd4txgKKBtmMEneswaFTsKGORsxocDttGvgPAPNu4k7RYZyB8sPn7xsBoQ1zWEP6er0f1XbjxNX7Snb-Qx_a-guXQtlPMMlPVBESb95sP-YVDqJHK3Cnttkm3xDMWPIjC6/s320/IMG_0887.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle meeting his Maley (Dahl) cousins in Seattle for the first time. He also met Marsten, Tang, and Best cousins for the first time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking Glacier park<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The monkeys of Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Costa Rica</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins - Sara, Lindsay and Kyle loving the catamaran tour in Costa Rica</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulemar Resort - AWESOME!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Best siblings - Kevin, Carmen, Pete. Whatever it was, it was clearly profound!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle with the San Jose, Costa Rica International Airport Toucan!<br />
Thanksgiving, 2017... Home again. Home again. Jiggity Jig!<br />
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The Squirrel monkey.</div>
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The white faced Capuchin monkey.<br />
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On our way home from Costa Rica, we took in the Fort Worth historic Stockyards. Kyle didn't really get all the 'to-do' driving the steers. He thought there were a lot of riders considering the size of the herd!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-79766080985074374992015-12-22T21:35:00.001-08:002015-12-22T21:35:16.416-08:002015 - Reflecting on the many blessing bestowed on us.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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12/22/15</div>
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Holiday Greetings from Elkhorn Creek Ranch! </div>
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As I sit hear tonight reflecting, the snow calmly falling on the buttes and barns, and my boys lying next to me in bed watching old Star Wars movies, I am absolutely in awe of the blessings that 2015 has brought to us.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle - age 7. Miss Brengman's WCES 1st grade class.</td></tr>
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One Mr. Kyle Best pictured above this December on the eve of his WCES Christmas music program. Our one and only intrigues me every day with his kindness, thoughtfulness, his curiosity of the world, and his enthusiasm for learning. He truly is our greatest blessing!</div>
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Best Angus and Quarter Horses at Elkhorn Creek Ranch, where tender beef and blue collar horses are our business!</div>
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Outside of a dry spring which stunted our grass / alfalfa hay crop, the ranch had an exceptional year. The fall of 2014 saw feeder calf prices at an all-time high, which provided for strong replacement female and bull markets in early 2015. We have since come down off that high and settled into a bit of a rocky market this fall, but still a decent one. We count those financial blessings of 2015 and continue to pray for favorable moisture, which means everything to future success in this typically dry part of county.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete sorting pairs the fall of 2015 on his 3 year old, Nick.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supper on the trail, fall of 2015 with my 3 year old, Rusty. My dad would have loved this little horse (which makes me that much more fond of him).</td></tr>
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So, as I write tonight, our record weaning weights have been logged and reported to the AAA, the calves have been weaned and on feed for 70 + days now, the cows and horses are out on range grazing, and we continue to be able to conserve our hay stockpile. Life is Good on the ranch!</div>
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We took a family trip of a lifetime the week of Thanksgiving. We cruised the west Caribbean on the NCL ship, the Breakaway, which was built in 2014 for families with children. All the photos below were from the ports of that trip.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayans of Cozumel with their North Dakota captives!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FRESH coconut water</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Critters of the Grand Cayman's at Dolphin Cove</td></tr>
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Other 'mentionables' of 2015:</div>
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In February we visited Aunt Marcia and Uncle Myron and friends Mike and Mary Zimmerman in AZ and swam. And swam. And swam. </div>
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In August we had a Best family trip to Banff and Drumheller and were treated to a VIP / behind the screens tour of the Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum by Uncle Andy and cousin Eric.</div>
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Pete took several Angus trips.</div>
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Brad and Kaley Hagen (Brad worked for the ranch for three summers and two years) moved back home (Minnesota) in April. Kent and Laura Johnsrud helped us out quite a lot this summer and fall. Justin Bartholomay, a graduate of NDSU, Animal Science started with us in September. These folks have all been blessings which we are thankful for, as is our family and our local community. </div>
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The last blessing to reflect on this beautiful evening (before the bustle resumes tomorrow morning), the reason for the season!</div>
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Merry CHRISTmas... </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-71198757332454375502015-10-05T18:04:00.000-07:002015-10-05T18:04:12.043-07:00Blue Buttes Fun Day on Throwback Today- remembering the 'Why' of it all.We attended the 86th North Dakota Stockmen's Association Annual Convention and Membership meeting in Bismarck this past weekend. <a href="http://www.ndstockmen.org/">North Dakota Stockmen's Association</a><br />
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On Thursday (9/24/15) prior to the start of the NDSA Cattlemen's College there was a marketing workshop. One of the questions posed by the presenter was "How many of you have a blog?". I was honest (although I didn't really want to talk about my lack of commitment to telling our Ranch's story the last couple years) when she asked how many followers it had. "I'm not sure, but I do know since starting it in 2011 there have been over 24,000 page visits with between 200 and 1,500 page views per post". To be clear, this blog is no <i>Pioneer Woman</i> and neither the topics nor writing quality will draw folks out of the woodwork to loyally follow it. That being said, I do think that it is important to tell the story of our little lives out here and the story of why we care for the animals and land the way we do.<br />
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Ya know, life happens and things get busy. Priorities shift and in our effort to keep hope alive in an uncertain place in our history things get a little blurry and the signs hard to read (likely due to the number of them and the speed at which life clips along). We sometimes find ourselves backtracking the navigated path looking for other routes and hoping for a simpler way to get to our destination... and then sometimes our destination disappears or become unrecognizable.<br />
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HOME has always been the destination for me. Providing this 'way of life' for future generations has always been the mission (let's face it, this way of life builds pretty darn good folks). Being good stewards of the livestock and land and leaving a legacy to be proud of have always been the goals. So what if the destination disappears, the mission impossible, and the goals meaningless for lack of a 'why'? And what if consumers don't believe us when we do try to bridge the existing gap with them? I'm not saying that one little blog can change the future, but I am saying that I refuse to quit trying to bridge the gap and to frame the 'why', which builds understanding. I want people to continue to be able to keep visiting our ranch and understanding why we do what we do without having to leave the comfort of their lives where ever that may be.<br />
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So I will keep posting and hoping for followers and sharers who help spread the word about ranching life and rural ag communities... 'cause like I said before, this way of life builds pretty darn good folks who want to bridge the gap with the folk who aren't out here at the end of the road with us. <br />
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In the meantime, let me share a little story about 'folk-building'. When I was a twelve year old girl and my little sister was seven, the family loaded up a couple of our ranch horses on a crisp fall morning and headed down the road toward Keene County. Our destination was the Blue Buttes Fun Day at the Willard Kieson arena. BBFD has a long history and tradition in McKenzie County. The games were fun. The kids tough, friendly and competitive. Shivers, my mom's horse that I got to ride that day was fast. The H hanging L (my Dad's brand) Ranch brought home hardware that day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1986 and 1987 All Around Cowgirl buckles which I proudly display in our Ranch House living room still to this day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2015 Blue Buttes Fun Day (BBFD) at the Wesley and Tina Leppell arena. Jaden hamming it up after the Boot Race.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2015 BBFD. Kyle and Zoey taking a spin around the arena on Taxi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEz6VywPhs4OSe1SzyS_B7p2uJ2AK-PErtCMmx5Qx9GiQgbpKpBDKrKedl58NdcUMXS_e25xsYvDK_y_Mdw_Wj_CzgrMvnzo7OnUve0gvx7VRQ4htQnGpy1F27OY33oE_9eU_M19mDsa9u/s1600/IMG_2650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEz6VywPhs4OSe1SzyS_B7p2uJ2AK-PErtCMmx5Qx9GiQgbpKpBDKrKedl58NdcUMXS_e25xsYvDK_y_Mdw_Wj_CzgrMvnzo7OnUve0gvx7VRQ4htQnGpy1F27OY33oE_9eU_M19mDsa9u/s320/IMG_2650.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 2015 BBFD. Kyle hanging with Hoss between games. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyWhreZojEhxr02xwfdsguckhHJ6hrjXNyr9qUqcC2YypKvw0ct5ElUYKSwtFETmR6vmtqNJ9xTYqVfww5BgRCNixIsMPxRP_9rU6W_6UL5fWkiW_n3Q5-UeyiLWMpuaT_YWiSlO1-xn1/s1600/IMG_2647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyWhreZojEhxr02xwfdsguckhHJ6hrjXNyr9qUqcC2YypKvw0ct5ElUYKSwtFETmR6vmtqNJ9xTYqVfww5BgRCNixIsMPxRP_9rU6W_6UL5fWkiW_n3Q5-UeyiLWMpuaT_YWiSlO1-xn1/s320/IMG_2647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 BBFD. Look REALLY close... Morgan climbing through the barrel during the barrel race. Notice the big boys in pink. That's right. They are tough enough to do so. They were great mentors to the younger 'folk' that day and are always examples of good sportsmanship and 'try'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7znDQpRMUvdjlrrnWubqDEH0pIJi1SHE6zLaBKQcxxLWxVR8uQg3uv9mXZaMbj3L_sT6RZVVTC87HU1xIuY_L531ajNtP69J5hooc7qpNKVP2TaVO4I6UwESLUWUnMOnqoTA7P64ppZJ/s1600/IMG_2648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv7znDQpRMUvdjlrrnWubqDEH0pIJi1SHE6zLaBKQcxxLWxVR8uQg3uv9mXZaMbj3L_sT6RZVVTC87HU1xIuY_L531ajNtP69J5hooc7qpNKVP2TaVO4I6UwESLUWUnMOnqoTA7P64ppZJ/s320/IMG_2648.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2015 BBFD. Jaden all smiles and Chance struggling to stay awake!</td></tr>
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This was a needed day for me. 9/27/15 was a throwback to that crisp fall morning in 1986 headed to the Keison arena. It was a reminder that HOME does still exist in more than just my mind and that 'good folks are still grown out here at the end of the road'. AND this is challenge to all the folks out there to keep working to bridge the gap and tell the 'why' of our story.<br />
<br />
To the Keison's and the Leppell's, thank you so much for this annual event that celebrates Good Folks, Great Fun, Good Sportsmanship, Tough Competition, Fast Horses, AND FAMILY!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-55701299051438024882014-12-24T07:20:00.001-08:002014-12-24T07:20:37.225-08:00From our Outfit to yours - Peace, Joy and Love this Blessed Christmas Season.From our outfit to yours - peace, joy and love.<br />
<br />
I find the flipping of the calendar moving faster and faster with each passing year and the burden of the world's concerns and complexities with the fatigue of it all, sometimes more than I want to bare.<br />
<br />
Then, comes the opportunity each December to remember the reason for the Christmas season and it brings a bit of ease to those burdens. Christmas is the most precious time of the year to reflect on the numerous blessing that that fall on the rapidly flipping calendar and allows us the time to share them with you, our friends.<br />
<br />
For everything there is a season and it seems that although I think of him often, the second of each 'season' (in 2014) without Dad has been easier than the first of each (2013). That's not to say we don't still miss his kindness, calmness, wisdom, support and sense of humor, but truly 2014 was less of an emotional strain than 2013 for the ranch and the family.<br />
<br />
2014 has brought record beef prices to the rural ranching communities, record oil prices to our booming energy region and ample moisture to our western North Dakota badlands creating a most 'bully' attitude through most of this calendar year. The recent fall in crop prices and crude has softened that a bit, but all in all Watford City and McKenzie County have much to be thankful for this year and lots of catching up to do.<br />
<br />
The cows are in good condition. There is enough hay to sustain for the upcoming year. The horses are fit and plentiful in numbers (that's my shameless plug if anyone is looking for a horse ;). The K-kid (the Kyle-kid, the Kindergarten-kid) is a joy and blessing beyond anything we deserve. Our neighbors and family continue to be our greatest support. The ever changing landscape around here has become the new 'norm' which certainly brings a mixed bag... Or is it baggage? It is all of the above.<br />
<br />
The Chronological highlights of 2014:<br />
<ul>
<li>March - We hosted our ranch's first ever production Bull Sale in Watford City after 25 years of private treaty and consignment marketing. It was well received by our ranching community and the support from our local and regional customers was overwhelming.</li>
<li>June - Watford City turned 100 years old. After much preparation, there was a 4 day celebration, all school reunions, reminiscing and reacquainting! There truly is NO PLACE LIKE THIS HOME.</li>
<li>July - We traveled to San Francisco and Sonoma Valley to celebrate the wedding of Carmen (Pete's sister) to Steve Kromer. It was a wonderful celebration and a great time with friends and family. We are very excited to welcome Steve to the family!</li>
<li>August - Kyle started Kindergarten. He LOVES his teacher, Mrs. Moen and is one of 120 to 140 kindergartners at WCES (that number bounces around with the days and I truly wonder how that 15% will do in life). We said goodbye to our 'Tyra Dog'.</li>
<li>September - Brad Hagen (who works for the ranch) married Kaley Schmidt in Chaska MN. Kyle was their ring bearer. It was a beautiful ceremony, lovely reception and a great opportunity to meet and better get to know their friends and family. Pete attended several regional Cattle tours connecting with industry folks and visiting reputation herds in Montana and North Dakota.</li>
<li>October - Grandma Olga (my Dad's mom) turned 95 years young! She is amazing! Her children hosted a delightful Birthday Party and Open House for her. I turned '40' and my very thoughtful family threw a 'Median' party... I was the median and the range was 35 to 45. It was a really wonderful time with friends.</li>
<li>November - After a full ballot requiring intense campaigning, I was elected by the people of McKenzie County to a four year seat as County Commissioner (of the fastest growing County in the United States). My incredibly supportive husband proclaims periodically, "Be careful what you wish for. Your greatest dream might become your worst nightmare". Words of wisdom from a wise, incredibly sarcastic guy! There is important work to be done and more than enough of it to go around. It is truly a humble honor and all I can do is my best possible effort with decisions supported by research and payers asking for wisdom... </li>
<li>December - We traveled to Las Vegas for the first time in either of our lives with Kim and Lee to attend the National Finals Rodeo (the 10 day Super Bowl event of the Professional Rodeo Association). For a lifelong ranch kid and the daughter of a team roper, that was a wonderful 2014 vacation in 'Sin City'.</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bquqqdsZkM-iHNJGhCXeUlUnq04spOmOb1kGodfGHXrc9Qb3KSNndCSLifSEhaQYDbRlOmRZxoeRlYEUmIB4_Q0aNKCjsrjM7c9VJ9hoAZaAqsexL32kUJ_arH8ThjIgLAaUZh0zXHiK/s1600/IMG_2876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bquqqdsZkM-iHNJGhCXeUlUnq04spOmOb1kGodfGHXrc9Qb3KSNndCSLifSEhaQYDbRlOmRZxoeRlYEUmIB4_Q0aNKCjsrjM7c9VJ9hoAZaAqsexL32kUJ_arH8ThjIgLAaUZh0zXHiK/s1600/IMG_2876.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The folks that make the ranch 'go round'...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1kX_-5Nf5UzIyJIbH4FDtlG5-Y8GKRi6qYoyiu3Yzm1vrkRr-nwCkrPG69dCRH44FnQ6JdOf7nvaT0WDFT1BgjxrliQ8atEqL9lgQDI2o-NrKVNWntU6JcACMjPggFZjO8iJTPUfamR2/s1600/IMG_2888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1kX_-5Nf5UzIyJIbH4FDtlG5-Y8GKRi6qYoyiu3Yzm1vrkRr-nwCkrPG69dCRH44FnQ6JdOf7nvaT0WDFT1BgjxrliQ8atEqL9lgQDI2o-NrKVNWntU6JcACMjPggFZjO8iJTPUfamR2/s1600/IMG_2888.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O-sTUhexool459vUirsQsOFCtmZT0W_ol2aB9SHIODq_SlUN_OmGaE4c9Eexxhrzk4zE7kCq237z50hme2BwjD1mxCkheGmutlrcR8BZ0ndH7cpA5IlvtG7E1JwcSKTe8eDyKJxQOnVI/s1600/IMG_3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O-sTUhexool459vUirsQsOFCtmZT0W_ol2aB9SHIODq_SlUN_OmGaE4c9Eexxhrzk4zE7kCq237z50hme2BwjD1mxCkheGmutlrcR8BZ0ndH7cpA5IlvtG7E1JwcSKTe8eDyKJxQOnVI/s1600/IMG_3209.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reasons that we care so much about the future of this place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Nt_yROii0VP1GALYl8Aax5FTBLcGrw8d4Or-u6rP6Ik2nXJNDLTT7hr1-6pDJISjJygoznKeLFtgCfIMebrgg7pt9RXFv34vvGRn0as-eyaXhRvZm1RKKNVuM4Sa6YQ_0FI0jEvLVftf/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Nt_yROii0VP1GALYl8Aax5FTBLcGrw8d4Or-u6rP6Ik2nXJNDLTT7hr1-6pDJISjJygoznKeLFtgCfIMebrgg7pt9RXFv34vvGRn0as-eyaXhRvZm1RKKNVuM4Sa6YQ_0FI0jEvLVftf/s1600/IMG_3275.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take it all in and then pause one more moment. Frame your perspective thoughtfully.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tvd7y_Zn6g3xPhx6J0zI5WIXChXYCRGLLAXorN8kVLvVV_mMMGalv-LuNSA400lo1xWkVA00NHkSUOvIX4q_4Ax6diOxIr3onLvXrkT5aihAhVY4oGasdbHtTq8CzSAAYZor7LNHSh0r/s1600/IMG_3282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tvd7y_Zn6g3xPhx6J0zI5WIXChXYCRGLLAXorN8kVLvVV_mMMGalv-LuNSA400lo1xWkVA00NHkSUOvIX4q_4Ax6diOxIr3onLvXrkT5aihAhVY4oGasdbHtTq8CzSAAYZor7LNHSh0r/s1600/IMG_3282.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needed: A unified plan with a unified front... AND respect and consideration for each person's insight while developing that plan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf9MAkwX9W28-nIf6KMrLgxSBxo3UlRyB8aAHPZtdphQIQx_ewaWO4XALqMt8pruZ0ARZWS4cmWK01E9JCanzb0NuoMOWWEcPTZkukK-E2GzRjmvr91YLD2WU_m0S0OL44LO5y8RLehxW/s1600/IMG_3307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf9MAkwX9W28-nIf6KMrLgxSBxo3UlRyB8aAHPZtdphQIQx_ewaWO4XALqMt8pruZ0ARZWS4cmWK01E9JCanzb0NuoMOWWEcPTZkukK-E2GzRjmvr91YLD2WU_m0S0OL44LO5y8RLehxW/s1600/IMG_3307.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BCF's (Best or Boy - depends on the day)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE07A2jOSejShTKMKaJZ3KBzoVLUY9gaOfcvIIT5T9a3dHWrhUS95EjtsvvBevRVATjdYNe9oU81uLGMs_m-w1L7L2IKQUzBkNn1ERNcJl4dydxBP7yjI5clyZEAYodPN9lvPCgsIHsaV/s1600/IMG_3315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE07A2jOSejShTKMKaJZ3KBzoVLUY9gaOfcvIIT5T9a3dHWrhUS95EjtsvvBevRVATjdYNe9oU81uLGMs_m-w1L7L2IKQUzBkNn1ERNcJl4dydxBP7yjI5clyZEAYodPN9lvPCgsIHsaV/s1600/IMG_3315.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Outfit!</td></tr>
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<div>
STEWARDSHIP PRAYER<br />
Almighty God, we thank you for all the gifts You have given us: our lives, our loved<br />
ones, all that we have and all that we are. Most of all, we thank You for Jesus, your<br />
Son and our Redeemer, who came among us to show us the way to eternal life. Jesus<br />
was the perfect steward of your gifts, showing that complete trust in You is necessary,<br />
and that giving of self is a most important part of following Him. May the offerings of our<br />
time, our talents, and our material resources be made in the same spirit of sacrifice that<br />
Jesus taught us by His life and death for us. Amen.<br />
<br />
Last week, Kyle came home from school singing, "Feliz Navidad. Feliz Navidad. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart!"<br />
<br />
From the bottom of the heart of our Outfit - Best wished for peace, joy and love this holiday season and for 2015.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Pete, Vawnita & Kyle (6)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-28133278883080928632014-09-03T12:50:00.001-07:002014-09-03T12:50:24.832-07:00Tyra 'Puppy Monster' BestTyra Best<br />
<br />
11-13-02 to 8-27-14<br />
<br />
She was 'only a dog', but she was the 'once in a lifetime' dog that all others are compared to. She was a GREAT, GREAT dog. We miss her.<br />
<br />
The beauty of animal ownership, aside from the obvious; the loyalty, the companionship, the field work that they do in their breed's disciple, is that it is an opportunity to experience 'life lessons' #1, unconditional love, #29, loss and #30, grieving. I've heard it said many times in numerous ways. They only live a short period of time. I don't want to get attached. I don't want my kids to have to experience the loss of them...<br />
<br />
But those experiences are an important part of who we become. They teach us so much about life and about ourselves. Mostly, how we could be better _________ (you fill in the blanks)... communicators, friends, at showing appreciation, at recognizing the little blessings in life, at loving without reservation. They open their hearts and give us everything they have to offer. No strings attached. No questions asked.<br />
<br />
So our Tyra, the one of 12 little 'accidents' that prompted an early December 2012 phone call from a friend wondering if we wanted a puppy, spent twelve years caring for and LOVING our family. A family that couldn't be more blessed by her constant presence in our lives if we had special ordered her and ponied up cash for her.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfw3MeJhU8qyVdyAKjOud7k6fK1yGQgMZw1D52_o3-yrXQqFZhYkyvKXBnKTc_xOpSEb5vDQibfVLxKPy87GI-Jtc6xidzrNEgjQWyEMRilVX-jDoBI_9vskVNfnuk4z0K9xlfjtfP6y7/s1600/tyraeightweeks+001-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfw3MeJhU8qyVdyAKjOud7k6fK1yGQgMZw1D52_o3-yrXQqFZhYkyvKXBnKTc_xOpSEb5vDQibfVLxKPy87GI-Jtc6xidzrNEgjQWyEMRilVX-jDoBI_9vskVNfnuk4z0K9xlfjtfP6y7/s1600/tyraeightweeks+001-1.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyra 'Puppy Monster' Best on New Years Eve 2002. She was eight weeks old when we got her.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
I remember going to the movie, <i>Marley and Me</i> in the theater over Christmas vacation one year and thinking "Uffda. I would NOT tolerate that deviant behavior. It would be a one way trip to the wood pile for that dog." And thankfully, outside of chewing up all the Christmas presents in 2003 (in her defense, we had wrapped a box of milk bones for her and as she spent Christmas Eve service in the pickup with the presents, well...), chewing up a few pairs of shoes (cosmetic damage only), and scratching up a garage door (again, only cometic) to make her great escape as a puppy, she was pretty much "PERFECT". I will also quickly point out that after being disciplined for each of these violations, there were never repeat incidents. Tyra was a people pleaser whose most appreciated praise was having sticks or tennis balls thrown for her.<br />
<br />
For a couple who didn't see the possibility of children in their future, she spent the first six years of her life with people who had the time to take her hunting and road tripping. The analysis by Pete determined that she knew over 30 words / commands and had an arsenal of tricks to entertain people with.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSSLWaXZH_H8oGL_sgk9HZwQbhqmpR3n6p1Lifx4wnTLh6zXOv0NyID0x8T-UW0KmA0gRqVt3CgG_o3VsvMkgsZ8fvcShrglCERCl0e6w09gbuA3wRMfaoeI94zAJcBDs0v5d4i6QcqI1/s1600/Tyra's%2Bfamily.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSSLWaXZH_H8oGL_sgk9HZwQbhqmpR3n6p1Lifx4wnTLh6zXOv0NyID0x8T-UW0KmA0gRqVt3CgG_o3VsvMkgsZ8fvcShrglCERCl0e6w09gbuA3wRMfaoeI94zAJcBDs0v5d4i6QcqI1/s1600/Tyra's%2Bfamily.jpeg" height="320" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our many 'pre-Kyle' Christmas card pictures with the T-Dog.</td></tr>
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Oh, there was one very, very naughty black mark on her record. She wasn't a fan of cats. Particularly kittens. She didn't chase them, but if they disrespected her by rubbing against her legs... well it could possibly end poorly for the kitten.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKPrJL89jBDHiba1SfoGimtSriUUSm9a-eceGexVeYqkPcMRgbadYuRq-BHwMRR0wXIbsjH2s7SOVKpqICvBmGiivAib5XP5cZQ47Azf0h61Qgh5oiPuz912Vmc4qu-khzIIhEnC9Wfq0/s1600/Tyra+and+Jigs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKPrJL89jBDHiba1SfoGimtSriUUSm9a-eceGexVeYqkPcMRgbadYuRq-BHwMRR0wXIbsjH2s7SOVKpqICvBmGiivAib5XP5cZQ47Azf0h61Qgh5oiPuz912Vmc4qu-khzIIhEnC9Wfq0/s1600/Tyra+and+Jigs.jpeg" height="194" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were however, cats that she had built a relationship with. For those cats she exhibited amazing tolerance.</td></tr>
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After six years of being the 'one and only', she welcomed Kyle into our family and became his full time play mate and part time foot warmer at bedtime. She was always a fan of his, but found exuberant loyalty when he became proficient with the Chuck-It.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWlUJ9FUxlqFsRurPyA8XEN9dAKxyrXUMndxrFZQAk-NrpvZChg-nnUI60xJt0IdNeRJCAPR-e0DGt7YKk0zMWpa_qNi5SFdB5El7898YdoixwkrHx3pjoKawXhto8eM3xBob4ceBYKNs/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWlUJ9FUxlqFsRurPyA8XEN9dAKxyrXUMndxrFZQAk-NrpvZChg-nnUI60xJt0IdNeRJCAPR-e0DGt7YKk0zMWpa_qNi5SFdB5El7898YdoixwkrHx3pjoKawXhto8eM3xBob4ceBYKNs/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The always gentle, always kind Tyra checking out baby Kyle in his Christmas pajamas - 2008.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksXBuWK-PwnYmA3tyQAPsOfbfvJKpztLn7L7RAvzIM3OgNDVEBr5WqMzXSjr0qM0mSzPKFe8WqxM4LyEGqseSBxcbmuf-y1qDWSA6Jpj4TtraPzG6znvYxrfrvnxao7sV6v1LFIyTK-fI/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksXBuWK-PwnYmA3tyQAPsOfbfvJKpztLn7L7RAvzIM3OgNDVEBr5WqMzXSjr0qM0mSzPKFe8WqxM4LyEGqseSBxcbmuf-y1qDWSA6Jpj4TtraPzG6znvYxrfrvnxao7sV6v1LFIyTK-fI/s1600/IMG_1880.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first day of kindergarten - 8-25-14.</td></tr>
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The winter of 2009 - 10 Tyra spent with restricted, minimal activity based off Doctors orders to heel a torn ligament in her knee. Outside of that little episode and the development of cataracts the last two years, Tyra had been completely healthy. Again, another of the many blessings she provided us. In late July, I noticed a tumor growing on her side. Pete took her in to Dr. Seth at the Watford City Veterinary Center. He plated it and informed us that she had weeks, maybe months to live. She was in a terminal state without question. We sent Gunner home for the remainder of the time and spent it enjoying our dog in a way and looking back, with perspective that I am so thankful for. Life can get so away from us and we forget that in the end, happiness is in the journey, not in the destination. It isn't how many pheasants that you bring home, but how you feel during the thrill of the hunt, locking on and pointing one out and flushing it up... and of course retrieving it like only God programmed your DNA to live for should your person be a good shot. Yes. On occasion she fired Pete and moved over to the 'hot shot' without a dog, usually Kurt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfThszQXbUp8Wuyjb6FM-01X7ckUl4J7Dp4RYt7jCbHxMhYvAjiUaQS43SESklX3Cq0NkV0F_CLc0KpWUJpkf5uMqhDlwDhW_44rUO5sc2CIBWNKqlk6C95dzZPSJkgwmee5ZyRTLFTcst/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfThszQXbUp8Wuyjb6FM-01X7ckUl4J7Dp4RYt7jCbHxMhYvAjiUaQS43SESklX3Cq0NkV0F_CLc0KpWUJpkf5uMqhDlwDhW_44rUO5sc2CIBWNKqlk6C95dzZPSJkgwmee5ZyRTLFTcst/s1600/IMG_1893.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning of August 27th after sending Kyle off on the bus. She was a GREAT DOG.</td></tr>
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Shortly after this photo, I made the call. It had been a rough night for her. After we got Kyle on the bus and the guys headed out for the day with their 'to do' lists of ranch work, I threw Tyra a tennis ball. For the first time ever, she quit. She looked at me, but wouldn't pick the ball up and bring it back to me. She would look down at it and look back at me, but she wouldn't scoop it up and bring it back. She was communicating to me the thing I didn't want to hear. She was ready. It was time. I called Dr. Seth and sobbed on the phone to him that I thought it was time. Could he send someone out after the clinic closed and after Kyle had a chance to say good-bye when he got home from school? I worked in the office that day. She was restless and evidence of pain showed that the cancer was spreading throughout her entire body and consuming it. She did her best to lay in her spot by my office chair like she had done for so long and in numerous home offices from Bismarck, Dickinson, Williston and Watford City, but she was full of pain.<br />
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Kyle got home that day. We talked about the fact that when he went to bed that night he would never see Tyra again, on Earth. He questioned why Dr. Bruce and Dr. Seth couldn't fix her. The complexities were discussed, but the bottom line was that we needed to do what was best for Tyra and not for us (who didn't want to say good-bye just yet (or ever)). Interestingly enough, we had watched the movie, <i>Heaven Is For Real </i>a few weeks back and I found it comforting at this difficult time during this difficult conversation with a 5 year old. Kyle said his good-byes. I was proud of him. They were composed, thoughtful, heartfelt good-byes. I was crying. He turned from her and started walking toward me and said, "Well Tyra, see ya in heaven good dog" and then he whispered to me, "Hey Mom. Can we get a puppy now." Sigh...<br />
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Pete and Brad got home around 8:00. It was the most perfect evening in God's country. No bugs. Still as could be. Partly overcast. Not too hot. Not too cold. Pete started a fire in the pit and proceeded to procure Tyra's resting place on the ridge overlooking the beautiful valley that falls away behind our house. She more than earned that spot and it was the least we could do for her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyra taking in her last evening with us.</td></tr>
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A bit after dark, August 27th, on one of her favorite blankets, Tyra took her last breath and said good-bye to us. It was a good death which ended the good life of a GREAT dog. I sent her away with hopes that Kurt (who she adored) was in need of a good (or at least an enthusiastic) bird dog. That night was one of the darkest skies in recent memory with one of the brightest sets of stars in a long time. Maybe the stars have been there and we just haven't paused to take the time to consider them. Or, maybe heaven was joyful to receive a kind and gentle soul that night.<br />
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A week has passed and each of us at our own time has visited her. Kyle doesn't know it, but he is being watched when he does. He will find a ball or a bone lying around and naturally he hauls it to her and drops it on the disturbed soil. He hasn't asked for a puppy since 'the whispers of the 27th'. Don't tell him this, but he will get one some day. It will be a couple years from now, but I suspect we will know when the time is right and when life lessons #1, #29 and #30 need a kind, gentle canine soul for a young blonde haired boy. A canine soul that will teach a young blonde haired boy how to be a better person. A young blonde haired boy who will some day be a man who had that 'once in a lifetime' dog.<br />
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R.I.P. Tyra Best.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-44482583680053228712014-04-01T09:35:00.003-07:002014-04-01T09:35:30.528-07:00Hay days with Skip and Roger!Greeting from the ever busy epicenter of the booming Bakken!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Hay' Skip! - (Not to be confused with "Hey, Kyle!")</td></tr>
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I'm sure you have all heard that North Dakota was nailed by a 'Lion-like', "March, exit right"' precipitation and wind event Sunday nigh and Monday morning. They are calling her Gigi and the national news spent roughly 15 seconds on it yesterday morning after forcing ALL +/- 330 million of us to endure nonstop coverage of 'DC' and the eastern seaboard's routine dusting of snow and periodic 'below freezing' temperatures this winter.<br />
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The kicker was that the regional weather forecasters were REALLY late predicting Gigi, who dropped nearly 2 feet of snow on parts of ND. As you can see above, we received very little of the white stuff which I was thankful for. It was the freezing rain that was more of a concern. Kyle and I stayed home from preschool yesterday as it was 'all hands on deck' when the sun came up in the morning. It was unknown how the two pastures of 'pairs' had fared the freezing rain and below ZERO (as opposed to FREEZING) wind chills.<br />
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We had our Under Armor base layers, smart wool socks and additional winter gear on and we were in the tractor by 9:00 AM yesterday and on the move. Our mission: Get an eye on every calf (there are over 100 of them now) and get the following out to each pasture:<br />
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1 alfalfa bale and 3 grass bales to the +/- 50 pairs of older calves (born between March 3rd and March 20th) - almost all first calf heifers<br />
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1 alfalfa bale and 1 grass bale to the horses<br />
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a grab of grass hay to the stud<br />
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5 grabs of grass hay to the mares<br />
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1 alfalfa bale and 3 grass bales to the +/- 50 pairs of younger calves (born between March 21st and March 29th)<br />
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1 alfalfa bale, 1 grass bale and 1 straw bale to the 15 pairs of 1 and 2 day old baby pairs<br />
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1 alfalfa bale and 1 straw bale for the barn babies<br />
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5 grass bales and 3 straw bales for the close up (soon to calve) cows<br />
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3 grass bales for the third cycle (mid April to mid May calving) cows...<br />
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What is my point to sharing all the details with you? It was a HAY day. We have HAY days every three days to be more efficient with our fuel, electricity, labor and tractor hours (depreciation). In any case, it took Kyle and I 10 hours to get everything fed in good locations that offered natural protection from the cold wind and to find all the calves and make sure nothing had got too chilled from the rain and windchill of the night before.<br />
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While we were doing that, Brad was taking care of the calving barn, water and mineral. The person taking care of the calving barn either moves cows into the barn before they calve or allows them to calve outside and then sleds the calves into the barn shortly after delivery, with mom following close behind the sled. This is done day and night, every two hours, around the clock when it is too cold outside.<br />
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Pete on the other hand was laying inside watching TV... JUST KIDDING. He was over at Pesek's loading fall calving cows that were sold to Nebraska. The trucker drove around and through Gigi to get there and stayed on his busy schedule so on our end, we too 'made it happen'.<br />
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OK, back to our HAY DAY. Ten hours is a long time in the buddy seat. It really was a great day though. We would role out the bale tails by hand. We would walk the coulees checking for calves (and pretend to be black bears climbing trees). We would chop ice on the water tanks. We would talk about why we were doing what we were doing - from where we were feeding to how much we were feeding to what we were feeding.<br />
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We talked about how expensive the tractor was that we were using to feed with and how two of them cost the same amount of money as it took to build our house five years ago. The expenses are an important part of the equation in all farming and ranching ventures, but especially with registered cattle operations.<br />
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When we finished rolling the horse hay out (and the horses were no where around), we ran an obstacle course on the hay back up the hill. It was a race and when we got to the top I declared, "Now I'm thirsty". Kyle quickly scooted over to some fresh snow and scooped it up in his glove. We laid on the hay, ate snow and watched the clouds blow over. I felt like I was 5 again, which was a great feeling!<br />
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The day got me thinking about how fortunate we are to live this lifestyle. Gigi had me feeling sorry for myself and wishing I had an office job for a short period of time on Sunday night when I couldn't sleep thinking about the babies outside. Yesterday, I was quickly reminded that I don't have to wait for a 'bring your kid to work day' for Kyle to understand what we do. I've heard this quote come out of his mouth more than once, "My parents don't have jobs. They ranch."<br />
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FUNNY ALERT:<br />
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So yesterday, he was getting tired and when that happens 'his ears quit working'. After rolling out a bale and watching him jump over and on it acting like a puppy I said, "Hey Kyle. Lets go. We still have a long list of things to get done before dark". He ignored me. The next thing that popped into my head and came out of my mouth (Why? I don't know)... "HEY SKIP!" Kyle's immediate response, "WHAT ROGER?"<br />
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This set me back a bit as funny and random. My question to him, "Why Roger"? Kyle's response which will forever stick as one of his funniest, most animated responses, "Skip and Roger! Get it? I love you mom." I didn't get it, but it didn't matter. It was a great day that I was incredibly thankful for for so very many reasons.<br />
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The DAILY REPORT from 'Hay Skip and Roger' - all the calves are just fine and Skip's parents don't have jobs!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-65811232062973621292014-03-16T11:08:00.001-07:002014-03-16T11:08:05.289-07:00A debt of gratitude to both blood and ranching familiesGreetings from the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation!<br />
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Last Tuesday (March 11, 2014) cowboy hats and over boots converged on Watford City in the heart of the western North Dakota oil boom. Pete was determined to capture this sight in pictures after being told by a nice reservation receptionist at one of the new motels in town that a bull sale will never 'work' in oil county. <br />
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As they flocked to the Watford City Livestock Scale Association to look through our 2014 offering of Angus bulls, and then to Outlaws' Convention Center for lunch and to participate in our video auction it got me reflecting. It stirred more emotion than I thought the day would and I pondered what the day REALLY meant.<br />
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Our Angus cow herd has been very good to us. We challenge those girls and most of the time they rise to the occasion. This day had been 25 plus years in the making and it was possible because a junior high age 4-Her had befriended his neighbors, owners of one of the most respected maternal Angus herds in the country. They providing him an amazing opportunity after witnessing his willingness to help out, to be present and to be curious. McCumber Angus allowed Pete the opportunity to select a heifer from their replacement pen back in 1985, the point where this day REALLY began.<br />
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Pete did an exceptional job formulating a 'project' plan for this inaugural event and spearheading the execution of it with help from a team of friends, family and neighbors. Over the past year people would ask how plans for the sale were coming and if we felt 'good' about moving to a sale. If you can remember back to your own marriage engagement period and wedding planning process, well it was a lot like that. There were sleepless nights. There were tears. There was stress. There was love and support. There was yelling and arguing. There were lots and lots of phone calls looking for advice, support and participation. There was a need to cuss the weather and to thank everyone for their behind the scenes contributions. And then just days before the sale the continuous polar vortexes that plagued the high plains since November moved north. Some thawing occurred and the possibility of a seasonal change showed.<br />
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The morning of the sale was an anxious one. Will people show up? Will they like the bulls? Will they see value in the bulls for their cattle operations? Will they remember that Watford City is on CST (I'm just saying that LOTS of people missed our wedding thinking that Watford was on MT)?<br />
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I remember the day I picked our local veterinary up from the Am-trak station in Williston back in the spring of 2012. It was Dr. Pederson's first time to North Dakota and McKenzie County. Our long time provider to the greater McKenzie County area's four legged critters, Dr. Nelson was retiring and we needed a practitioner. What I remember more vividly than anything else was telling Dr. Pederson about the ranchers of the area. I explained that we were a tight knit group who helped each other out and looked out for each other's interests. There was an unspoken code of ethics in this ranching community where you respected your neighbors and you didn't covet their things. Business was done with a hand shake and your word was your reputation and without your reputation you had nothing. These were salt of the earth folks who respected money (for they knew how difficult it was to make a living off the land out here) and were frugal with it, but who valued their relationships above the almighty dollar.<br />
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After Dr. Pederson got to Watford City and started practicing in June of 2012 he commented to me many times on how I nailed that description of our ranching community that day. He has gone on to expand on my observation and add (my paraphrased version of his comments) how faith, family and commitment to others centered our ranching community. He could see through their actions and words how much they appreciated the lifestyle they live and the people they live it with. I couldn't agree more.<br />
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TRULY, our local and regional ranching community is one of the greatest communities I have ever known. I am very, very proud to be a member of it. When you are humbled by your company in that way, the support that was shown to us on March 11, 2014 is beyond anything that I can put into words. Below are pictures from the day of the sale. For those of you that were there that day either online or in person, I offer you the most humble "thank you". For those of you that were not, we hope you can join us next year.<br />
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If you are interested in the results of the sale: <br />
<a href="http://www.angus.org/AngusProductions/SaleReportsdtl.aspx?eid=DgAAAFnC6wVokiivbeV7uBaVtXk%3d&il=DgAAAEQrujU5dwVoL18j9OafTcE%3d">CLICK HERE for 2014 Best Value in the Badlands Sale results</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bulls sacked out at the scale enjoying the sun and warm weather (with the recently constructed and just opened Comfort Inn & Suites in the background).</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattlemen and friends enjoying the warm sun and conversation at the Watford City Livestock Scale Association Yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSic_83OxiPPxXHenMdis4SYnbOZW5aREZhq3553dWcHJqw2nUj-VTKNcEnd_mYy0Nyorl6v8m9SAy3ipb8Dw8Z4EP9uG89_5Ll5IxEuG7mv28xHW-Lho6SJm8ZzdqYTVEGwpK8h3zcAD/s1600/IMG_4110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSic_83OxiPPxXHenMdis4SYnbOZW5aREZhq3553dWcHJqw2nUj-VTKNcEnd_mYy0Nyorl6v8m9SAy3ipb8Dw8Z4EP9uG89_5Ll5IxEuG7mv28xHW-Lho6SJm8ZzdqYTVEGwpK8h3zcAD/s1600/IMG_4110.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the sale day (and pre-sale day) crew - l to r: Kaley Schmidt (Brad's fiancé), Brad Hagen, Zac Hall (Hall Stock Farm) and Kim (Hovet) Murphy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiVnlNPl6hIMsmS8iAHznvd8Jsn2bhYK9anW5WvpJuzNlOSSjFWaQaAxrAO1FSVGkKK3b8ClwfW0mYZ10cJ0pxoJwfc8muCWwg7O-XDZa-22WHiW2A8plcSCv1qQZ33f9GTrUq_lgxLY6/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiVnlNPl6hIMsmS8iAHznvd8Jsn2bhYK9anW5WvpJuzNlOSSjFWaQaAxrAO1FSVGkKK3b8ClwfW0mYZ10cJ0pxoJwfc8muCWwg7O-XDZa-22WHiW2A8plcSCv1qQZ33f9GTrUq_lgxLY6/s1600/IMG_4111.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pen of 2-year old bulls on sale day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u8BaVXwzvK6ALXYHVJ6viUYKx0vxeCE78nUohz1f1AQQosoS1NyEhljbfC8rzvD-JToxWSk07znzKNC8wHVshvQ8EJpLSe6RlhOBR67m8f6JJELwwpa4AlnexD5AySBkCoeCdb8aRZ-v/s1600/SAM_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u8BaVXwzvK6ALXYHVJ6viUYKx0vxeCE78nUohz1f1AQQosoS1NyEhljbfC8rzvD-JToxWSk07znzKNC8wHVshvQ8EJpLSe6RlhOBR67m8f6JJELwwpa4AlnexD5AySBkCoeCdb8aRZ-v/s1600/SAM_0207.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lunch crowd at Outlaws' Convention Center. The Outlaws 'gang' did a great job with our ranch raised beef meal and the entire event... ALL while starting up their Williston location that same week!<br /><a href="http://www.outlawsbarngrill.com/DefaultOL.aspx">Outlaws Bar and Grill - Watford City and Williston locations</a> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQbH8-s70HMkmXN47I39SnjU5FQQsJNfxHczxGLilXKYO0yigkYmqg7e2wBQ-WuwGH7NQVTVs3HKheXWLH0MtA0VpghFzPBNrEe4MI2NcL_RbwoNWMtKsOlOEyomMPNLc17-fnYHmP-b8/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQbH8-s70HMkmXN47I39SnjU5FQQsJNfxHczxGLilXKYO0yigkYmqg7e2wBQ-WuwGH7NQVTVs3HKheXWLH0MtA0VpghFzPBNrEe4MI2NcL_RbwoNWMtKsOlOEyomMPNLc17-fnYHmP-b8/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The auction block - Pete, Roger Jacobs (auctioneer), Lee Murphy (brother-in-law and sale clerk). Not pictured (off to the right) was Logan Hoffman representing DVAuction services.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnARoUcQ8SlHWafSkzmgNp2xZnd4QYkKwXzfQkOt0q_LXWrPR_MPmu4ZfWCiaclB3KChP-rXynhYXBDqTw-5QfrW-jcwdkT859f0S6ErzijKbSAxD1IkXVTwdCVM_VgR_EuJBbeMdWCI7z/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnARoUcQ8SlHWafSkzmgNp2xZnd4QYkKwXzfQkOt0q_LXWrPR_MPmu4ZfWCiaclB3KChP-rXynhYXBDqTw-5QfrW-jcwdkT859f0S6ErzijKbSAxD1IkXVTwdCVM_VgR_EuJBbeMdWCI7z/s1600/IMG_0870.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The south side of the 'sale barn'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ANASCSplD7aXYsZTg9lIDw_KJprh-GcdeGWISaTNQhWmmniQpnxnJ31AEuSGXQdyVwDx3JVNh2OtzTqmaZ8-F5c38Z3TBJ1pH43UGh0-eVFk19eFUImmov6cEn3XQXTZwqVHyTxmnHcM/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ANASCSplD7aXYsZTg9lIDw_KJprh-GcdeGWISaTNQhWmmniQpnxnJ31AEuSGXQdyVwDx3JVNh2OtzTqmaZ8-F5c38Z3TBJ1pH43UGh0-eVFk19eFUImmov6cEn3XQXTZwqVHyTxmnHcM/s1600/IMG_0871.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The north side of the 'sale barn'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD0WEcz1QbTKomcGNS6ju18cPvePtic8IutUeul_0oQSbLIDWVikc2oO7lqOUogO8xxftwKFdNQ9MYQI_L_cYuHS-MyyIUciCvg5beCwltMc5lALoG0eI-TEejBdsSofZXtG9ex30zhXu/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD0WEcz1QbTKomcGNS6ju18cPvePtic8IutUeul_0oQSbLIDWVikc2oO7lqOUogO8xxftwKFdNQ9MYQI_L_cYuHS-MyyIUciCvg5beCwltMc5lALoG0eI-TEejBdsSofZXtG9ex30zhXu/s1600/IMG_0876.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of the 'sale barn'.</td></tr>
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<br />
Of the 78 bulls that sold last Tuesday (76 through the sale and 2 afterwards), 54 of them will stay in McKenzie county with the remainder going to Bottineau, McHenry, McLean, Ward, Mountrail, Dunn, Williams, Divide, Billings, Stark and Adams counties in North Dakota and McCone county, Montana. Four west river North Dakota ranches purchased in volume of 5 or more head. There were many debts of gratitude felt that day with the volume buyers' support being right up there along with our long time, repeat supporters who in the past found our program in spite of our low key marketing efforts. <br />
<br />
At the end of the day just before climbing into bed my phone chimed with a text from my one and only sibling, my sister Kim. It read "Great sale today! Dad would have been so proud to be there." That pretty much sums it up...<br />
<br />
Our debt of gratitude transcends generations, is founded in relationships and could not be more heart felt right now without words to express it.<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-60997706585860622772014-02-09T14:57:00.001-08:002014-02-09T14:57:10.351-08:00Our own Steven SpielbergGreeting from Elkhorn Creek Ranch near the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation!<br />
<br />
Yep, we have been ever so busy in 2014.<br />
<br />
March 11th will bring our first ever production sale in Watford City where we will be offering along with guest consignors, Hall Stock Farm, 90 Angus bulls and 20 commercial heifers. After 25 years of private treaty marketing of our bulls we are going to a production sale!<br />
<br />
So our typical operating procedure is that one of us takes a 'lead' on ranch projects and the other get the final 'do it', 'print it', 'send it'... go ahead.<br />
<br />
We have tried to take an approach to marketing our production sale which is as unique as our ranch and the resources of it. When Pete proclaimed that he was going to make videos to bring the ranch to cattlemen's computers for them to experience the environment our cows work in my thought was, 'that's a good idea'. And then before he loaded it on youtube last week I reminded him that I need to 'view it' first. Typically, I am ruthlessly critical when I am not the lead of a project and I expect the same in return. Below is the ranch video produced by our very own Steven Spielberg, Mr. Peter G. Best. After the debut Kyle, who was sitting in Pete's lap turned, puts his hands on each of dad's cheeks and said, quote - "Dad, WE are SO PROUD of you! That was just GREAT!"<br />
<br />
Enjoy and look for more to come!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szcWEP56vBo">Elkhorn Creek Ranch Video Tour</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bestangusandquarterhorses.com/">Best Angus and Quarter Horses HOME page</a> - visit our webpage and download our sale brochure for additional information on our 'Best Value in the Badlands' Production Sale!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne59kKBEr1E9PRqEL-vox7JGlTr5nRrsziiTZF5Zp6-YvnmYYVx_aJt4yqS9LRvpJZlPePql_ckgjRGkaqjxD3CAXJQfG2ZjEgeeqsCQDOHPbVgY1jrAonAPbcFFfl7JVuVn01l0xnxhx/s1600/321_Update.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjne59kKBEr1E9PRqEL-vox7JGlTr5nRrsziiTZF5Zp6-YvnmYYVx_aJt4yqS9LRvpJZlPePql_ckgjRGkaqjxD3CAXJQfG2ZjEgeeqsCQDOHPbVgY1jrAonAPbcFFfl7JVuVn01l0xnxhx/s1600/321_Update.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Alliance 321 - he sells on March 11th!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQFVMRIjcVNBvS_WcPUm6oMO9p9__yG387mw8BXNPrB9Fn5lyrBaFFKkZYJJhWgvfqzjCoxZ9v0oovMjjNK2FlVOBww19ypZ-_pqL2b8UV31mcZFCntDrZDIzCZmULELzRBZ0eF3uQYHd/s1600/380_UPdate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQFVMRIjcVNBvS_WcPUm6oMO9p9__yG387mw8BXNPrB9Fn5lyrBaFFKkZYJJhWgvfqzjCoxZ9v0oovMjjNK2FlVOBww19ypZ-_pqL2b8UV31mcZFCntDrZDIzCZmULELzRBZ0eF3uQYHd/s1600/380_UPdate.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Alliance 380 - he sells on March 11th!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMow1CObUYcnqqeuCVycWe0ql17j6RIjOcpH2Dx-Fq3tMMRdv-cGjePTLZtYnbq-JIQ_mr7g-9ricNAPZ2Npf0IoanDzfxA0OYNY5gs9v6N6zZNjm60U9EpSDIk0cTWdcGmHa3CnAB6DMV/s1600/2117+Lot+86_PB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMow1CObUYcnqqeuCVycWe0ql17j6RIjOcpH2Dx-Fq3tMMRdv-cGjePTLZtYnbq-JIQ_mr7g-9ricNAPZ2Npf0IoanDzfxA0OYNY5gs9v6N6zZNjm60U9EpSDIk0cTWdcGmHa3CnAB6DMV/s1600/2117+Lot+86_PB.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Extra 2117 - he sells on March 11th!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaJG2RV1hkpMRTMyUOUD9W_xdKNy4faLI-jPqy1lPHfDKo3pkIxyl2ogWdSD6mCeJkf_rR_idaXNx7e5_p9-ba9lHKjuhSw0GnBfY9JmBUZBtmZSRJSGEpc08_oHvdCfw04Uy2cDVVxnf/s1600/2142+Lot+88_PB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaJG2RV1hkpMRTMyUOUD9W_xdKNy4faLI-jPqy1lPHfDKo3pkIxyl2ogWdSD6mCeJkf_rR_idaXNx7e5_p9-ba9lHKjuhSw0GnBfY9JmBUZBtmZSRJSGEpc08_oHvdCfw04Uy2cDVVxnf/s1600/2142+Lot+88_PB.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Tracker 2142 - he sells on March 11th!</td></tr>
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<br />
Until next time, BEST Wishes!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-20066729482678197412013-12-12T15:07:00.001-08:002013-12-12T15:07:13.110-08:00Catchin' up with the seasonGreeting from the epicenter of the Bakken Oil formation!<br />
<br />
The most wonderful WEATHER time of the year in North Dakota (fall - autumn) has since passed us by and left a large, lengthy space in the calendar for winter… and with the arrival of winter comes the holiday season for us on the high plains. This will be our first Christmas without a man who LOVED this time of the year. He loved fall and winter and the daily activities that came with it. He LOVED celebrating the birth of Christ. He LOVED being with his large family this time of year.<br />
<br />
And so I am conflicted. I miss him so incredibly much. As I miss him, I simultaneously watch our 5 year old son in all of his wonder and excitement for the season. It creates an internal tug-o-war. Fall back into the past and hang tight to the memories or be present and aware - open to making new, fond memories for and with that precious 5 year old. It certainly has been a balancing act that has proved more difficult than what it sounds.<br />
<br />
And so maybe I share that with you in hopes of creating an understanding for how time can so quickly pass us by. Certainly, its not that I don't have lots to share of our goings on around here. Its simply that I haven't found the ever precious time for sharing. So consider this post a bit of a 'catch up with the seasons'…<br />
<br />
<u>A BOUNTIFUL HARVEST</u><br />
<br />
Our hay production this year was amazing and the quality was very good. We are so very thankful to currently have on inventory three years worth of hay (which is a blessing and ALSO code for):<br />
<br />
'HAY FOR SALE' - Quality tested. Gathered. Ready to Haul!<br />
<br />
With that, a quick shout out to the 2013 haying crew - Uncle Einar Prestangen, Pete, Brad, Lyle, Steve and Kyle/Vawnita (we were a single unit).<br />
<br />
In addition to growing and putting up lots of good hay this summer, we also had a tremendous garden to harvest. Brad was the driving force to get the garden in and maintained it on a daily basis. Sue, Kyle, Parker Filler and myself were the harvester. I was chief 'red sauce' maker with several assistants to back me up when my schedule didn't allow… lets face it. When tomatoes are ready, they are ready...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSXKCsOUUyF0SPBcOY00-9sg3ySNxTm5bOicy_J3mAftPisMlt2CM-DQb-cjl1lsO5cEnHKfSoehvqEWUVkGoWqHakGi3f7IG3i0oC5NpdLozG7alqyIn8JLTd0C0il5ncUZr77vm8deL/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSXKCsOUUyF0SPBcOY00-9sg3ySNxTm5bOicy_J3mAftPisMlt2CM-DQb-cjl1lsO5cEnHKfSoehvqEWUVkGoWqHakGi3f7IG3i0oC5NpdLozG7alqyIn8JLTd0C0il5ncUZr77vm8deL/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parker picking tomatoes before our first 'killing frost'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOdOULWvKFpsNAinHQgM6ewKDtOkyvM3j5Dqrj0yvx2-oCMNkfUBybgRvUAr8l6HcmG3eAaZOM4zzYATD_zteE8uNmfkVtlgUhFsrPQe_AiZeHn6cSeJrMhaSQRKKoY__p_b9DhFRYnC2/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOdOULWvKFpsNAinHQgM6ewKDtOkyvM3j5Dqrj0yvx2-oCMNkfUBybgRvUAr8l6HcmG3eAaZOM4zzYATD_zteE8uNmfkVtlgUhFsrPQe_AiZeHn6cSeJrMhaSQRKKoY__p_b9DhFRYnC2/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Sue and Kyle picking in tomatoes in a rush to beat the frost.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u_ShknQAWnqWbq5DFCCfEE4ZzPBkm1Y1CWdSjRk78ybj0PbQaGLq0gWhyphenhyphenOMwa_4VspDjegxPqYTP9BkeR9KkH0eEiRwjYpp33wP59Mdu9thA04w3DEFE4ErXfZycXXlGBNk9hwkGUiko/s1600/IMG_1378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u_ShknQAWnqWbq5DFCCfEE4ZzPBkm1Y1CWdSjRk78ybj0PbQaGLq0gWhyphenhyphenOMwa_4VspDjegxPqYTP9BkeR9KkH0eEiRwjYpp33wP59Mdu9thA04w3DEFE4ErXfZycXXlGBNk9hwkGUiko/s320/IMG_1378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 300 pounds of tomatoes which made over 24 gallons of 'red sauce'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZerH05CoR96B15PvHoMRhPgOrCd8tAde-umKzmCrPu8bWSrvQg5lSZwsaSX8KRswczEtVFdUGuw7PqkC9078oK05alDAs1hRQqRsqFBWAzPQJqfEBr7o4VlBymwvcpa4jnUx7mTdTjm40/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZerH05CoR96B15PvHoMRhPgOrCd8tAde-umKzmCrPu8bWSrvQg5lSZwsaSX8KRswczEtVFdUGuw7PqkC9078oK05alDAs1hRQqRsqFBWAzPQJqfEBr7o4VlBymwvcpa4jnUx7mTdTjm40/s320/IMG_1350.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking down chokecherries and wild plums.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU-nN0pILujQz2hIKYpaET9bNNo6pyaBFQM6_inam-8h-PfMgnBEI5zwJn7qQZWJ-Vtz3-h4VZYexUDLCIp0t9iwh9o3BtV6hQmh0e-mfPEe7-54-SWhK4QsAdW5URjO-ct7r_xoYwfuM/s1600/IMG_1351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlU-nN0pILujQz2hIKYpaET9bNNo6pyaBFQM6_inam-8h-PfMgnBEI5zwJn7qQZWJ-Vtz3-h4VZYexUDLCIp0t9iwh9o3BtV6hQmh0e-mfPEe7-54-SWhK4QsAdW5URjO-ct7r_xoYwfuM/s320/IMG_1351.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making wild berry jellies and syrups.</td></tr>
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<br />
<u>TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS</u><br />
<br />
The tasks of bringing cows and hay home this fall were made much more enjoyable by the help and company of friends and neighbors. I will probably miss someone and feel terrible about it, but here goes…<br />
<br />
Jerry Kelly, Kent Johnsrud, Perry Ecker, Brian Zingleman, Thane Hollenbeck, Nathan Brenna, Christine (who's last name I never did get into my memory), Phil and C'Dale Jory and Terry Filler.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ciTExSOeHsl7cyylBvRaShVx-UWy6HYz04Wx33QIkxqaAENbRUXxE8EpWHZoCZjwOC6J7C22NbSiHXW5z2AH7M3keBzfDdRtU7RW3QuBbbu7wGpM5BK5kTcCOESaRPb0CAxtLx_2AoaU/s1600/IMG_1417.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ciTExSOeHsl7cyylBvRaShVx-UWy6HYz04Wx33QIkxqaAENbRUXxE8EpWHZoCZjwOC6J7C22NbSiHXW5z2AH7M3keBzfDdRtU7RW3QuBbbu7wGpM5BK5kTcCOESaRPb0CAxtLx_2AoaU/s320/IMG_1417.MOV" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'The girls' coming home. We spent the first two weeks of October gathering cows from their summer grass. On October 16th, Dr J.J. Hovde of High Plains Vet Clinic in Sidney, MT pregnancy checked all the cows and we administered herd health vaccinations for diseases that cattle in the high plains are susceptible to. At the same time, Dr Bruce Pedersen of the Watford City Veterinary Clinic in Watford collected fecal samples for our disease surveillance program that were then analyzed at the NDSU Veterinary Sciences Diagnostics Laboratory. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6up0XrHJHvu0jTPZpwvI7vQZPcBhp2jJPs_bvgNSAiQfuCFdKk-u7VrQBJ5TaBQ6qMBkbK1L3OwFSGtFTE-QxCnqNgsew72JIiaBOKF6SUFlLyCBz3L9qY3DnN36s-CW34BnBqCOoO3E/s1600/IMG_1443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6up0XrHJHvu0jTPZpwvI7vQZPcBhp2jJPs_bvgNSAiQfuCFdKk-u7VrQBJ5TaBQ6qMBkbK1L3OwFSGtFTE-QxCnqNgsew72JIiaBOKF6SUFlLyCBz3L9qY3DnN36s-CW34BnBqCOoO3E/s320/IMG_1443.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After their 'herd health' day, the cows being moved over to the Kelly place. Throughout the fall and winter, we rotate our cows from pasture to pasture starting at the Kelly place where a cocktail cover crop (sounds good doesn't it?) - a mixture of radishes, hairy vetch, field peas and oats awaiting them. As they graze this field, they fertilize it for the upcoming growing season. Also, the variety of plants in the cocktail are all included for different soil health or animal nutrition reasons. Radishes root down and break up clay pan and make soil more permeable to water / rain. Hairy vetch and peas are both nitrogen fixers for the soil and will benefit the 2014 crop that is drilled into that field next spring. And the oats… cows LOVE oats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs2FfO5wAmgtTX0Vvq2UPDd60FrQOXm1vRi6_ZfA_ErHGOPBh69raYKZGGeF2VFyA7pbn_GoEG9GiA2dMDbdlrCV0-7Pd-cwUUqwwUicc4YnLQt0v5tGzZUUs9sY1rkV7ca9zSacEMLxe/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSs2FfO5wAmgtTX0Vvq2UPDd60FrQOXm1vRi6_ZfA_ErHGOPBh69raYKZGGeF2VFyA7pbn_GoEG9GiA2dMDbdlrCV0-7Pd-cwUUqwwUicc4YnLQt0v5tGzZUUs9sY1rkV7ca9zSacEMLxe/s320/IMG_1442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several of the people I thanked above for all of their help this fall are bringing up the rear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_2dX8-jDJK3HwjqMQMmnpjfnzaRCcCccsth8UaosM6WfOykAu2JL-PbC0MqXyanTRlMXX5D1yjqt5HQmxj0MLdR3ncOKGk9nSHgVqJGWC848L0aCm_OZtiTBm3fvLWwPHeW6T9a1fi7m/s1600/IMG_1444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_2dX8-jDJK3HwjqMQMmnpjfnzaRCcCccsth8UaosM6WfOykAu2JL-PbC0MqXyanTRlMXX5D1yjqt5HQmxj0MLdR3ncOKGk9nSHgVqJGWC848L0aCm_OZtiTBm3fvLWwPHeW6T9a1fi7m/s320/IMG_1444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We periodically find ourselves waiting on oil related traffic for one reason or another throughout the year. This day there was lots of oil traffic waiting on the cows. And again, those fine neighbors and friends helping us ride (and do our chute work) can be seen at the back of the herd… This was the third week of October.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXcezCTSpJ25uyu9Nw1W6mUCWb33P8kV2ijMUWr7BLzbOWhYMcejFU9ueMnAQRrtoQ6qXKsIRrouy4jxQ_7gCSYAG8jI_jQJz_nXMOkfGSBM9zEnpYho84zyoJOoC1FXdggOdHuo11VQw/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXcezCTSpJ25uyu9Nw1W6mUCWb33P8kV2ijMUWr7BLzbOWhYMcejFU9ueMnAQRrtoQ6qXKsIRrouy4jxQ_7gCSYAG8jI_jQJz_nXMOkfGSBM9zEnpYho84zyoJOoC1FXdggOdHuo11VQw/s320/IMG_1516.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the first week of December. Pete is mixing office work with field work taking a call while looking for cows over at the Kelly place. On this fine day, we sorted off the open (not bred) and late cows who will be sold in February and until that time will be fed over at the development lot (Pesek Farms north of Alexander) that feeds our bulls and replacement heifers. On this day we also sorted off the heifer calves that were pasture weaned and the bred heifers - all of which will be fed supplement starting in mid-December (before the rest of the cows begin receiving supplemental feed beyond grazing).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaHYA-YGeYoEW5HAJ9rVbvhWAJdUj0lnQpqIwTTsKiOSuKpdabP62_t3iS24wU6r2EMNFcyXo0F6OW3v48z_DNgIipvYs6Eehto6LHB1qadjKpbRWpa2O0Aii4RGkCeU5DhWi4oav52vb/s1600/IMG_1517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYaHYA-YGeYoEW5HAJ9rVbvhWAJdUj0lnQpqIwTTsKiOSuKpdabP62_t3iS24wU6r2EMNFcyXo0F6OW3v48z_DNgIipvYs6Eehto6LHB1qadjKpbRWpa2O0Aii4RGkCeU5DhWi4oav52vb/s320/IMG_1517.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing home the cows, heifer calves and bred heifers that will go to Pesek's or start to receive supplemental nutrition at home starting in mid-December.</td></tr>
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<br />
<u>HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS</u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zoa2ihCKEUKqDaXi0bdhglup7KZaaZW-W-yjWIBz5jPF2hQsnOusG9smrPzcG70AqOAIR0qCGtUvRN1dOE8ALpZpRmFuoqAoOq-BH7Xhri8kPiOEnfH3_hUsQJD9MpkbY67EplKDZwdu/s1600/IMG_1517-SNOW.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zoa2ihCKEUKqDaXi0bdhglup7KZaaZW-W-yjWIBz5jPF2hQsnOusG9smrPzcG70AqOAIR0qCGtUvRN1dOE8ALpZpRmFuoqAoOq-BH7Xhri8kPiOEnfH3_hUsQJD9MpkbY67EplKDZwdu/s320/IMG_1517-SNOW.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, the weather out here is frightful, but our Under Armor is warm and delightful... Let it Snow, let it snow, let it snow!</td></tr>
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One of my absolute favorite memories from my childhood was going out, dad with his ax in hand and finding that 'perfect' badlands cedar for our Christmas tree.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiYxBxd71nt81bYna7PVmqtwVgRKSKJIBMjhr3DgvgYCVhHwI5DMFy9NGTBrKbaiGe0PUlpuGtEa5NpZh0ANKMRpgH6JfgWkxN6XXcK78Cu98vXN_oej39VvPzfPq6gPqRbknjlqVZ5wE/s1600/IMG_1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDiYxBxd71nt81bYna7PVmqtwVgRKSKJIBMjhr3DgvgYCVhHwI5DMFy9NGTBrKbaiGe0PUlpuGtEa5NpZh0ANKMRpgH6JfgWkxN6XXcK78Cu98vXN_oej39VvPzfPq6gPqRbknjlqVZ5wE/s320/IMG_1508.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaden, Morgan and Kyle out sledding AND Christmas Tree hunting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhh43FCLUFaPs5_1RO6qckyNOpuiah3dODdvXf2iCAhTxboJhniK2pOBSNjnON0njos4iOIpa3Rjo0Su9C1e8h0OjqmV6Tp5UfMc55Csj_puHSEY10mABEdaeCwMFq_7rc1VtfBHBbbWV/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhh43FCLUFaPs5_1RO6qckyNOpuiah3dODdvXf2iCAhTxboJhniK2pOBSNjnON0njos4iOIpa3Rjo0Su9C1e8h0OjqmV6Tp5UfMc55Csj_puHSEY10mABEdaeCwMFq_7rc1VtfBHBbbWV/s320/IMG_1515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sue and Lyle with their Badlands Cedar...</td></tr>
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Without a doubt, we have been blessed with many things in 2013. <br />
<br />
I love the reflection that is brought about by the warm feeling of joy and love and the caring of others - friends, family and perfect strangers during the holiday season!<br />
<br />
Here is wishing you and yours a down home CHRISTmas with the comfort of past memories and the opportunity and awareness to make new ones as well this year.<br />
<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-87848188430492488242013-11-29T13:51:00.001-08:002013-11-29T13:51:25.305-08:00Stationery Card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Aas2LFq5YtmbtY&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0Aas2LFq5YtmdA/0Aas2LFq5YtmdOpA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1385761679000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Stationery Card</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-64144228364976078252013-10-30T12:52:00.000-07:002013-10-30T12:52:44.691-07:00Stories needing voices...Greetings from the epicenter of the Bakken Oil formation!<br />
<br />
It has been a busy one. It has been a good one! FALL - the most wonderful time of the year...<br />
<br />
I had an amazing opportunity in early October to tell my little story to a group of <i><b>be-you-tilful</b></i> rural women from southwest North Dakota, northwest South Dakota, northeast Wyoming and southeast Montana at the Rural Women in America conference held in Bowman on October 5th. A good friend and RLND class mate extended the invitation and I graciously accepted knowing full well that neither I nor my story are exceptional in any way, but rather that I am willing... to stand in front a room full of people and share the story of a rural woman engaged in agriculture living in western North Dakota (all of which I am very proud of)... and encourage others to do the same - to share their stories.<br />
<br />
For far too long we have been crazy busy tending to our marriages, our children, our farms and ranches, our off-farm careers, our churches, our communities. We have failed to connect with urban and non-agricultural America. We have not communicated with these folks who have forgotten or no longer know their roots. That was not meant to be an offensive comment, but rather to point out the fact that today less than 2% of the U.S. population is active in agriculture (food and fiber production) and in many instances Americans are 4 generations removed from their agrarian roots. In 1960 that percentage was just a touch under 50%, so if you weren't a farmer your brother probably was. The story didn't need to be told back then because even those living in urban America periodically had an 'on farm' experience. Additionally back then, marketing and special interest groups weren't constantly pushing products, production models and agendas. The story of agriculture was being experienced first hand and not being hi-jacked, manipulated or misrepresented.<br />
<br />
My advise to these rural women was simple... be hear able, be relatable, be trustworthy, be respectful, be balanced. Build a platform for conversation. Open doors and walk through them. Don't slam doors (even if you aren't sure what to think of what is on the other side). In doing so, connections will come your way and provide you with space and place to tell your story.<br />
<br />
I have made many valuable connections over my 39 years, many I am proud to call 'sister' and 'brother' in agriculture - a couple of them this fall that have provided space and place, a platform to build conversation from:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://issuu.com/ndfu/docs/uf_november">The Union Farmer</a> (page 9)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://inspiredwomanonline.com/2190/coming-home/">Inspired Woman</a><br />
<br />
I would like to sincerely thank them for that opportunity.<br />
<br />
So, (depending on your personality type) I encourage and / or challenge you to tell rural America's story. The story needs your voice!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBz5-5Fjvo4Z40RPkd_24yDK6ksLK-pFBOexeN2ZDDFR6NYQEfB0B8LRXUBSWfFLTrsxBAKAyLc39b9EJYFwWRR7Wthganua0nMjrRrh_x4QBeHEv8ltMqcVwj4BLnM5surgO6AxxKFNu/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBz5-5Fjvo4Z40RPkd_24yDK6ksLK-pFBOexeN2ZDDFR6NYQEfB0B8LRXUBSWfFLTrsxBAKAyLc39b9EJYFwWRR7Wthganua0nMjrRrh_x4QBeHEv8ltMqcVwj4BLnM5surgO6AxxKFNu/s320/IMG_1383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rural Women In America Conference - October 5, 2013<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-82621145023797401782013-10-04T21:19:00.001-07:002013-10-04T21:19:39.942-07:00The chicken sagaGreetings from the epicenter of the Bakken Oil formation!<br />
<br />
As usual, things have been incredibly busy around here. I was talking to a fellow rancher from the west side of the county today at the Farmers Union C-store. It was self-proclaimed f'real Friday <a href="http://www.freal.com/">http://www.freal.com</a>. We both have 5 year olds and the coincidental timing of this weekly event provided us opportunity to basically complain about all of the prosperity that this amazing rainfall total of 2013 brought to a typically dry landscape. There is just too much fall's work to do. Too much hay to haul home. Too much corn to ensile. Too much winter wheat to plant. Too many commodity contracts to deliver on. Too many things to get done before winter sets in.<br />
<br />
This end to the growing season of 2013 brought me to the realization that the final chapter in our little chicken saga is soon to play out.<br />
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(six months earlier...)<br />
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In March I get a phone call from my sister who instructs agriculture classes at Williston State College. "Vawnita, I was wondering if Kyle wants chickens this summer", she says. I instantly have childhood flash backs of picking eggs out from under angry pecking hens, being chased by 'the rooster' and pitching 'fertilizer' each spring from the hen house by hand. Oh yah, and then there was the unpleasant chore that we were forced to participate in which was by far the worst part of having poultry on the ranch when we were growing up. Harvesting (butchering) them.<br />
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My gut response was to firmly say "No. Absolutely not. I like my Cashwise Grocery Store eggs just fine. Thanks for asking but no thank you."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN8AbKiJBrAaI8ZO99UkMzhNCEuGpkRLHZEZ6mXY38-ZeYIEE7Wpac0-eIqXU1EIXFiR023qFJJfJTr0YdR7_nEwN_jJ0y9qltDt8HyMuUyCYuksOLwufpRCa3a6QU3Xe3smlEGlVAF3T/s1600/DE73E0EE-4FEA-47C2-A14C-521C95B4811D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN8AbKiJBrAaI8ZO99UkMzhNCEuGpkRLHZEZ6mXY38-ZeYIEE7Wpac0-eIqXU1EIXFiR023qFJJfJTr0YdR7_nEwN_jJ0y9qltDt8HyMuUyCYuksOLwufpRCa3a6QU3Xe3smlEGlVAF3T/s320/DE73E0EE-4FEA-47C2-A14C-521C95B4811D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle and my sister Kim the day his chickens arrived.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhrLF-bMQhffloItSHWK91UNIq0QZ4WNTuBClhireNSE-WT649el6QYw90ZBHyJMPBzb-1PAb3d1FeKoi-n9U7sxSh6mQcdWnT0Aqa7txjiwRwxY2BckE9wnTAbLCGgg7Tiz0tx0NrwNz/s1600/708C0FB2-D887-4C59-9E9F-8D9C964149BC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhrLF-bMQhffloItSHWK91UNIq0QZ4WNTuBClhireNSE-WT649el6QYw90ZBHyJMPBzb-1PAb3d1FeKoi-n9U7sxSh6mQcdWnT0Aqa7txjiwRwxY2BckE9wnTAbLCGgg7Tiz0tx0NrwNz/s320/708C0FB2-D887-4C59-9E9F-8D9C964149BC.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle with his six 'laying hens'.</td></tr>
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Instead, I said "Only if we can get 6 of them. All laying hens. No boys. No broilers. No butchering chickens." Kim thought this should be doable with the assistance of her Ag Club students who were hosting elementary school kids from around the Williston area on campus to learn about farm animals (livestock) and how farmers and ranchers care for them, and of course TSC (Tractor Supply Company).<br />
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Now, due to the early date of this beginning of April event on campus, these sweet, fluffy, adorable little baby chicks spent the first 8 weeks of their life on the ranch in a stock tank retrofitted into a brooder box in our attached (to the house), heated garage. Yes, you heard me. We had chickens in our garage. One wall away from my kitchen to be exact. <br />
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I love my child and I do firmly believe that having meaningful chores for children are important. In addition to having the daily chores of checking their feed and water, there were two other life lessons that I anticipated. <b>One</b>, good animal and resource stewardship and <b>two</b>, how fulfilling it is to grow your own food and to share it with others. <br />
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What I didn't anticipate was that there would be numerous other life lessons as this saga unfolded. Now, hold on to your over boots and keep up because there are a lot of side bars popping up in this story of Kyle's chicken herd.<br />
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(May)<br />
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One early May morning I was loading the dish washer. The house was quiet when all of a sudden erupting from the garage, "Cock-a-doodle-doo!". Remember, NO BOYS. That was the deal. This was bad. My hope was that there was one rooster. My fear was that there were three roosters. This fear was founded from watching them interact in their brooder box - the fact that the three black and white ones picked on each other, had big combs and were incredibly flighty.<br />
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We rode and sorted pairs that day and our friends, Hayes and Lonny Feilmeier came out to help. After we were done, we all came in to the house to eat. I was going off about this 'rooster' thing that was weighing on my mind. Lonny, who claimed to be a poultry expert went out to the garage to investigate. When he came back in he informed me that we did indeed have three roosters. Which also meant we only had three hens. Both issues = BAD.<br />
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As the chicks got bigger and the weather got warmer... and they had definitely out grown their little brooder box (we had a couple escapes before we finally got them moved outside), the construction of the hen pen was on simultaneously as we were getting the barn ready for our annual customer appreciation supper and private treaty bull display (another post for another day).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hen pen is a converted stock rack flipped upside down with laying boxes built in and a waterproof roof with netting side walls. Kyle's lucky little chicken herd spent the summer grazing (and fertilizing) the yard. During the 'grazing months' the mobile hen pen can be moved from location to location fertilizing and eliminating the labor piece which is typically required for a stick built, non-portable hen house. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He couldn't take anymore hen pen building / barn time. Kyle self napping with his private treaty bull catalog on the barn floor as Pete and Brad worked on the hen pen.</td></tr>
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The four lessons that weren't foreseen when agreeing to take the Ag Club's chicks after their kiddy day at the college, but that were very valuable for our four year old son were these: <b>First</b>, there are two things guaranteed to all creatures. Every creature on earth enters this world and every creature leaves this world. How, when, where, why... most of these events are out of the control of the being. It is simply part of life or more accurately, it is simply part of the circle of life. <b>Secondly</b>, make lemonade with your lemons but don't just make your average run of the mill lemonade. Make really good, memorable lemonade with fresh, locally grown ingredients when they are available. Share your lemonade with all who are thirsty and don't waste it. <b>Third</b>, always remember happiness is in the journey and don't be so wrapped up in a picture perfect, Pollyanna like journey that you can't laugh at yourself. Life is funny stuff and if there isn't anything there to laugh at, I pity your journey and the poor people that signed on with you. <b>Fourth</b>, if beauty and function aren't a package deal and you have to choose one, function will serve you much better in life.<br />
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Those unintended lessons may have turned out to be more valuable to our four, soon to be five year old son than the 'lesson plan' was... which is likely another lesson. One for me.<br />
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(July)<br />
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We had the chickens moved out to their hen pen, had them acclimated to that and now were allowing them to 'free range' around the yard. Have I mentioned that the chickens were all named? By Kyle with help from his cousin Jaden. There are Chabella, Big Red Hen and the third one was Salt N Pepper. According to Kyle, Salt N Pepper was his favorite. Unfortunately, she was the favorite of the neighbor dog too. It all happened in front of him and it was a very sad day for both Kyle and the dog. The chicken didn't suffer very long before I relieved her of her injuries. I remember my first 'circle of life' lesson as a young child. It was a twin bottle calf who I fed often and named Barnaby (after Barnaby Jones). Barnaby was a boy and went on to fill our freezer and sustained and nourish our family and guests to our home. After having been through them both first hand, Salt N Pepper was easier than Barnaby, but I won't try to tell Kyle that. Also, it was an important lesson, but I won't try to tell him that either. He will realize that on his own someday.<br />
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On a lighter note, the journey as it played out that day through Kyle's eyes was later revealed to me by our neighbor who was there at the time building some shelves in our basement. Kyle was sent to the basement by his father after it was realized that he was watching his mother beat the neighbor dog with a dead chicken out the dining room window. Kyle says to neighbor Jerry who is working away on library shelves and unaware of the events outside, "Oh man Jerry. My mom is really mad. She is violating Abby (the dog) with Salt N Pepper". Out of the mouths of babes. And no, I don't know where he learned that word and no, I don't think he knows what it means.<br />
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(August)<br />
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There was an expansion to the little chicken herd. Brad's friend from back home had a couple fancy show chickens that she was willing to send with Brad's mom and grandparents when they came to visit this summer. This pair had just been crowned Grand Champion laying hen pair at the county fair. Truly, when they arrived at the ranch I thought to myself "these are the most stunningly beautiful chickens I have ever seen before". Kyle wanted to name them Pretty Dash #1 and Pretty Dash #2... they were and still are a little flighty. I had to shut him down on that one. Instead we did a google search of 'Victoria Secret models'. Along with Chabella and the Big Red Hen, Kyle now has Gisele and Jasmine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately for Gisele and Jasmine (who both lay white eggs), this was the ONLY day in the last six weeks that we have been able to find two white eggs. On the other hand, Chabella and Big Red Hen who both lay brown eggs, and who both would be considered 'big boned' and 'plain' each kick out an egg daily like clockwork.</td></tr>
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(present day - October 4th)<br />
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The three '<i>stewies'</i> (AKA - The Three Stooges, AKA - The Three Roosters) had a stay of execution this summer when we had an outbreak of grasshoppers around the yard and the hens needed help keeping those destructive critters out of the yard and the garden. Although they are 'Kyle' chasers (he won't go outside to pick eggs without his handy catch rope (lariat) to defend himself) and incredibly noisy all day and much of the night, they were good vector control this summer and certainly earned their right to stick around through the first killing frost of the season (which is tonight). Their scheduled time to leave this place and fulfill their destiny is next weekend. They will go on to feed us and our guests and we will look back at our time with the three <i>'stewies'</i> and laugh. They made us laugh; sometimes with annoyance. OK, mostly with annoyance. None the less, when they leave, it will be swift and instantaneous. They will have the death that I hope for for myself and my loved ones regardless of the number of legs they have. It will be painless. It will be necessary. It will not be a time to laugh, but it will be a good ending to three lives that were lived well and with purpose... NOW, here is a tribute to those damn <i>'stewies' </i>and the struggle we faced this summer keeping them out of the 60 feet by 100 feet of the ranch that were suppose to be off limits to them!<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-39991673793901659962013-09-09T17:26:00.001-07:002013-09-09T17:26:40.679-07:00How's your horsemanship?Greetings from the epicenter of the Bakken Oil formation!<br />
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It is true! Ranchers need CE (continuing education). We need it frequently as the animal scientists of the world are constantly bringing us new and exciting research results that when applied properly, improve our livestock's quality of life. These things vary from nutrition to vaccines to low stress handling tools and methods to grazing systems to genetic data and the information systems that manage it all.<br />
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With ALL of the changes that exist in animal science and the persuit of improving livestock husbandry, my last CE experience was an intriguing encounter and a display of fundamental cowboy culture - a contrast from the sharing of scientific rooted results that make up most CE experiences. It all started with an email from a RLND friend informing me of an event coming up. Her family hosts a horse clinician each summer at the Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch - <a href="http://www.buffalogapguestranch.com/">http://www.buffalogapguestranch.com</a>. The clinicians name is Bryan Neubert - <a href="http://www.bryanneubert.com/">http://www.bryanneubert.com</a>.<br />
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Unlike many other horse clinicians (many of them have shows on RFD-TV (Rural Free Delivery - TV)) I had never heard of Bryan. That being said, knowing my RLND friend, when she said something was 'worth it', it was. It appeared as though there was going to be a little break in haying the last week of July between first and second cuttings so Brad and I loaded up our horses and headed down to Medora for the 4 day CE horsemanship clinic.<br />
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Each of the four mornings, under Bryan's guidance 14 colts who had never been ridden were worked. They were all halter broke, but some barely. Never before had I witnessed someone build trust and confidence in young horses so quickly and efficiently. His nonverbal communication with them was pure, concise, direct, firm and fair. <br />
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How does a person get that good at reading nonverbal communication and communicating back in such an effective way? My thoughts on this after watching Bryan 'work' and listen to him tell his 'life' stories:<br />
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(1) the cowboy way of life is his passion and unlike many who were born in to it, he chose it knowing full well it is a demanding lifestyle and one that doesn't typically come with a high performing 401 K... you do it for the love of it, not for what it allows you to buy...<br />
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(2) he was first an excellent student before he was an excellent teacher and he also knows he will always be a student as there is always more that can and should be learned...<br />
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(3) this exhibit in horsemanship was an accumulation of his life's work and it reveled the Mona Lisa, Cannon in D or Mt. Rushmore... <br />
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(4) he was fair and a good listener and the horses knew it and respected him for it and would follow him ANYWHERE and do ANYTHING for him...<br />
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I have not used the term 'horse whisperer'. I have no specific problem with the term, but the term makes it sound like a gift freely given. There was more to this display by this incredibly meek, balanced, humble cowboy and horsemen than that of a freely given gift. There were no whispers being sent to these man fearing animals and it was a life time of skill honing and not simply the exercise of the 'gift of a horse whisper'. There was however lots of communicating - lots of listening - lots of respect... NO whispering.<br />
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I brought dad's horse 'Oops' to ride in the afternoon horsemanship clinic. He is Kim's horse now and although we both want him to be a good member of the equine society, he is struggling. Perfectly talented, he has anxiety issues both in the trailer when being hauled and in the sorting pen. He seems to lack patience's which can snowball quickly and ruin to his day and the day of the person paired with him. We both have the goal of easing his anxiety, which in most horses has to do with confidence issues (the lack of) and/or trust issues (again, the lack of). Oops has plenty of confidence AND trust in the humans in his life so this case has been unique and complicated and is taking a great deal of critical thinking on the 'people's' part. <br />
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Anyway, Bryan offered to demonstrate a couple items on a 'first time' student. I offered up Oops to him. Oops followed Bryan's lead quickly, was a good demonstration, and displayed the calm domineer in his eyes, softness in his face and feet that I often saw when dad was riding him.<br />
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In many ways, Bryan reminded me of my dad and possibly that was part of the connection with me. This horse communicator provided me with one of the best and most memorable 'CE' experiences which totally and completely exceeded my expectations. <br />
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From the 'Best Cavy' and the cowboys at Elkhorn Creek Ranch, Thank you Bryan!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan telling stories in the round pen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan warming up the colts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first ride on the colts.</td></tr>
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Soooo, if you haven't thought about it lately, it is a good time to ask yourself, "How's my horsemanship?"<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-69648202791680419102013-08-25T18:49:00.000-07:002013-08-25T18:49:28.165-07:00Oh, Canada... How I love thee! Greetings from the epicenter of the Bakken Oil formation!<br />
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Summer has just flown by in the blink of an eye and although I have had plenty of material to blog about, the time to do so hadn't presented itself until tonight. As the men in the house are attentively watching the Vikings and 49ers on this warm Sunday evening I have been moving my iPhone pictures to 'the cloud' and reminiscing on the wonderful summer we have had.<br />
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With lots of hay to make this summer (which was a huge blessing for us), there were several short trips out of McKenzie county, but only one out of the state which happened to be an international trip and one that saw Pete and Brad stay home to make hay.<br />
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Kim, Jaden, Mom, Kyle and I went to visit Dad's sister Becky Hovet - Neuman and her family in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada the middle of July. Growing up less than 2 hours from the Canadian boarder, I have visited the country many times and enjoy many Canadian built products in my life from our house (which was built in Manitoba and moved on site) to our barn (which was built on site, but all Canadian products) to our portable cattle panels to many of the clothes hanging in my closet to my favorite pair of boots. I LOVE Canadian built THINGS and Canadian PEOPLE... who I have found to be friendly, kind, sincere, easy going, realistic and sound in their determination of what is and is not important in life. I often think that the people (and the politicians) of the United States could learn many things from Canada.<br />
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So, without getting too far off point here when we were invited up to Drum this summer to visit we hopped right on that. In addition to visiting the Neuman's and all Drumheller: <a href="http://www.dinosaurvalley.com/">http://www.dinosaurvalley.com</a> has to offer, we also snuck up to Calgary and took in the last day of the Calgary Stampede <a href="http://ag.calgarystampede.com/">http://ag.calgarystampede.com</a>! It was a great time and the boys had a blast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGWdlWrkVDofNE_Bc_g5Wxbdek_bhWih1rc1OqzXhHr3XwxbA_aNjRGRBNlFuiG6vGCXPQo9iLKech_Sh6eAWdH0pU8rUT3vAI5UnJFqxTOyblvkBCmdV4NNedhvdVoq3yoBvmo69ikT-/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGWdlWrkVDofNE_Bc_g5Wxbdek_bhWih1rc1OqzXhHr3XwxbA_aNjRGRBNlFuiG6vGCXPQo9iLKech_Sh6eAWdH0pU8rUT3vAI5UnJFqxTOyblvkBCmdV4NNedhvdVoq3yoBvmo69ikT-/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road trip up to Calgary proved to be too much...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g5ebRVdTRhyQrwsWajLwamuCIto22KWpQCNyRPPuhJ83SfqAlCTU2cbrRQ2ESZQMHdKBRR9ALoWNEAoZtyPq7kx0qImHoA7QTWuD8VerBfBDTY7ZSSPZpVltesV6qupuVUHYBo1OFM5a/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8g5ebRVdTRhyQrwsWajLwamuCIto22KWpQCNyRPPuhJ83SfqAlCTU2cbrRQ2ESZQMHdKBRR9ALoWNEAoZtyPq7kx0qImHoA7QTWuD8VerBfBDTY7ZSSPZpVltesV6qupuVUHYBo1OFM5a/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Calgary Stampede - a military helicopter presenting the Canadian colors prior to the start of the final go of the Heritage Derby - worth $100,000 to the winning driver.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimswq0h_VDse2FLpsbzJ05K5U5gDi76Mr2oVfiqSoPKAgMwiHdwns1TCSR8PZw_XcmLxA79P8NktjUkSfROUhsZFLXHXKFdX_CaUfeOnKy3Z1ovN7TKlYyEovbH7XPPik-qZafb-jLP6Em/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimswq0h_VDse2FLpsbzJ05K5U5gDi76Mr2oVfiqSoPKAgMwiHdwns1TCSR8PZw_XcmLxA79P8NktjUkSfROUhsZFLXHXKFdX_CaUfeOnKy3Z1ovN7TKlYyEovbH7XPPik-qZafb-jLP6Em/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Heritage Derby (Chuck wagon races) at the 2013 Calgary Stampede.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKKA4Nj-ZVRg7zrhCjSgPNw5kXB9YtcpCRFkGEYUJbe-mYbWsdQRv4Gu9zYjpUIKvFzs6iy-PtY7z7bu3X9zN7BTiXkA238OO1xPa99MS5f5XMDuSa_a7DiyTuRU_QOhgd9W0cjAUhWXJ/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKKA4Nj-ZVRg7zrhCjSgPNw5kXB9YtcpCRFkGEYUJbe-mYbWsdQRv4Gu9zYjpUIKvFzs6iy-PtY7z7bu3X9zN7BTiXkA238OO1xPa99MS5f5XMDuSa_a7DiyTuRU_QOhgd9W0cjAUhWXJ/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaden and Kyle taking in a kids class, Fossil Casting, at the Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum <a href="http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/">http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com</a><br />Becky's husband Andy (currently the COOLEST PERSON in Jaden and Kyle's life) is the Executive Director of the museum and made darn sure those two had a WONDERFUL two day visit to the provincial complex. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpRAybyBmbSuLnqTQhHVIKIHVAMItOInP_ofl3LEUGmiKT0RcCAP3V-OpStkqpPw1dXFNIJDHDIC5-hxrBXSDtNvCONdXCGXeLUpzUGfYfmkiGb7OvIHPHNShVBWjNo0v73d6PX1GBGmX/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpRAybyBmbSuLnqTQhHVIKIHVAMItOInP_ofl3LEUGmiKT0RcCAP3V-OpStkqpPw1dXFNIJDHDIC5-hxrBXSDtNvCONdXCGXeLUpzUGfYfmkiGb7OvIHPHNShVBWjNo0v73d6PX1GBGmX/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle excavating 'dino' fossils during one of his 'kid classes' at the R.T. Museum. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX0usX-jrmLyE-_XCReTxobg5c7kNaak1Fsb1wjcC_NCU3dJg3uxy5wgieq13xL2QNqbuXNhqi9TkawbM5oXTNithckpvvqXY9DFnSiDZwxZaQL27_kYlftXh9w8kCkYnuyVfcOLnzz67/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX0usX-jrmLyE-_XCReTxobg5c7kNaak1Fsb1wjcC_NCU3dJg3uxy5wgieq13xL2QNqbuXNhqi9TkawbM5oXTNithckpvvqXY9DFnSiDZwxZaQL27_kYlftXh9w8kCkYnuyVfcOLnzz67/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle and Jaden at the R.T. Museum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1apGnl5glzTP3lp2CleyV61ic2NwtE3juPD55M2Ez3BmW2tvLyRR6BQTT8HKNyu2PELgUIluc1az6ZD5fYxsDD_4MnC8sOav_9MJ6M0l_uDy7swf36Nc1YvCrPn5vhXZZHGb4uB0AAIlR/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1apGnl5glzTP3lp2CleyV61ic2NwtE3juPD55M2Ez3BmW2tvLyRR6BQTT8HKNyu2PELgUIluc1az6ZD5fYxsDD_4MnC8sOav_9MJ6M0l_uDy7swf36Nc1YvCrPn5vhXZZHGb4uB0AAIlR/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle and Jaden telling uncle Andy about their recent fossil excavation class and showing him their 'passports to the past'! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PawYSGIjYbybwBVaW9LdpM_xmBK_8NhVNqlMCKoMgmAFg0tTJLPMaaxcknKKuHG0LqVxZBrI3rv6NQbn6nWd2hhv9lkuleL4h-Q0NHNAYiVqGC1JVKEz-ehtLaBegfGxpjuyGhHsTXoN/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PawYSGIjYbybwBVaW9LdpM_xmBK_8NhVNqlMCKoMgmAFg0tTJLPMaaxcknKKuHG0LqVxZBrI3rv6NQbn6nWd2hhv9lkuleL4h-Q0NHNAYiVqGC1JVKEz-ehtLaBegfGxpjuyGhHsTXoN/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Cool' Kyle in one of the Jurassic display rooms at the R.T. Museum. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyZG-W1sQVP3lKGJdiGjzfxd3-iONGU_kmXCYHIdizzHCBmGtr4UnWEF0VNxErb_joBu42cbmzztklrot5yCMB18VvP0hzMG4s4ZVfF7iUTd6IQOCS47Pp83MTaE8RlsgVHA9umR_FLlq/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyZG-W1sQVP3lKGJdiGjzfxd3-iONGU_kmXCYHIdizzHCBmGtr4UnWEF0VNxErb_joBu42cbmzztklrot5yCMB18VvP0hzMG4s4ZVfF7iUTd6IQOCS47Pp83MTaE8RlsgVHA9umR_FLlq/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle and Jaden - an outlook point at the Royal Tyrell Dinosaur Museum complex.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYAg47ba2UV72JZLjUIV6D-KXCpBxFkKXqRl4LFTmUAWENGHdnJ5znD8pUMxqXon3rlqv00Hf6CJQ-cQkxKxUNGi_3Q9F5y0yPm6jydMk-BljuE2lnwLjERQ-lUbKUAy0EvO_L2b_WzS1/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYAg47ba2UV72JZLjUIV6D-KXCpBxFkKXqRl4LFTmUAWENGHdnJ5znD8pUMxqXon3rlqv00Hf6CJQ-cQkxKxUNGi_3Q9F5y0yPm6jydMk-BljuE2lnwLjERQ-lUbKUAy0EvO_L2b_WzS1/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle, cousin Leah, Jaden and Kim at the community theater's production of Oklahoma! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKp9yaeXcXup_rQ3ITgalCK6cNtzl1kje-L4cpha4Id5kqapWC6jmNsHxUaz91Oe-L41EzHtTDG14TUDSnaLXg7dzSqre4Hk_z9Ej2V7cOUmEet67Mo4jYYLaewvA3Mp9Ks6YU5hkskUv/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKp9yaeXcXup_rQ3ITgalCK6cNtzl1kje-L4cpha4Id5kqapWC6jmNsHxUaz91Oe-L41EzHtTDG14TUDSnaLXg7dzSqre4Hk_z9Ej2V7cOUmEet67Mo4jYYLaewvA3Mp9Ks6YU5hkskUv/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Eric (as Curly) with Kyle and Jaden after the opening night's production. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFJEtWOn0qhF-SjLyafbehmwqiSJaiW7BegOKgA-de2pLI1EGk7Qq4A9K7ZKE_aVdNa-hU8huoZ64QXce1R3IOA36gkDhTCQUDLGM6B34LtrRZLhbF5MvO19J7c7PrAuGJMmMDcL9HQMj/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFJEtWOn0qhF-SjLyafbehmwqiSJaiW7BegOKgA-de2pLI1EGk7Qq4A9K7ZKE_aVdNa-hU8huoZ64QXce1R3IOA36gkDhTCQUDLGM6B34LtrRZLhbF5MvO19J7c7PrAuGJMmMDcL9HQMj/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Eric giving the boys a behind the scene's tour... Eric was the lead, Becky directed and Andy helped with the set and lighting.</div>
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Oh Canada, thank you!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-45204657504168028862013-07-07T09:29:00.000-07:002013-07-07T09:29:43.142-07:00My Favorite FloristMother Nature is my favorite florist and although her shop often times has no inventory, when it does the price is right.<br />
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Yesterday morning I awoke to Kyle's roosters 'cocka-doodle-dooing' (another topic for another time) and decided to take advantage of this beautiful, still morning and the fact that the 'U pick flower shop' was open for business.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2HXFC-d1W7Ln9NXX65zz6ZXawMyzIN9_bFnAUp1q_mFjI0fcaHEZ31okDLSfmEkZWIVwpCXFSuIC-ScxpoAn_MRhyphenhypheng71DK57X8vLEVdTXgvk-l6mEa1YLcgYYR4shZ1Y1ySlBcHv4hVe/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2HXFC-d1W7Ln9NXX65zz6ZXawMyzIN9_bFnAUp1q_mFjI0fcaHEZ31okDLSfmEkZWIVwpCXFSuIC-ScxpoAn_MRhyphenhypheng71DK57X8vLEVdTXgvk-l6mEa1YLcgYYR4shZ1Y1ySlBcHv4hVe/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple cone flowers are one of the many variety of July native flowers in western North Dakota.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yucca are also impressive this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the painted clay buttes are breathtaking on high moisture years.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasG2eDh2N5fhB2z-PJhFRi9osNHDV-hrGYv71lO-inWmcORWDp0mDwaaSuqSjoPYw2Bz_uTqLaApuPZRaSJBdKPkv-42gky6DER4Cdhzqd2RFL9SkMopmoQICdiPyRGmQHOSx61jdhH43/s1600/IMG_1175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasG2eDh2N5fhB2z-PJhFRi9osNHDV-hrGYv71lO-inWmcORWDp0mDwaaSuqSjoPYw2Bz_uTqLaApuPZRaSJBdKPkv-42gky6DER4Cdhzqd2RFL9SkMopmoQICdiPyRGmQHOSx61jdhH43/s320/IMG_1175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This butte on a 'normal' year would bare very little to no vegetation. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching the sun as it peaks over the horizon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtE7ATHU40LHqwHUPhOgcwWU8IwDBHfCLAbsHhRSD5b8dCzvjxHikazM_uIpvIrGMYKetSJiAMmUXcWE-XRtBbNS2OH2QYv8YYQLyIjZSWB8t6z2g9_3x2S7KmZUrJqXpMY-jnFTa-Yqb/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtE7ATHU40LHqwHUPhOgcwWU8IwDBHfCLAbsHhRSD5b8dCzvjxHikazM_uIpvIrGMYKetSJiAMmUXcWE-XRtBbNS2OH2QYv8YYQLyIjZSWB8t6z2g9_3x2S7KmZUrJqXpMY-jnFTa-Yqb/s320/IMG_1177.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My very inexpensive, U-pick bouquet from Mother Nature's outdoor florist shop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NbB4HyNXY0la6gopmLlTyZaaYp8LNes6iIaCRFeVCxLc-geCv37mWPSWfei7SDl7Hs1xkL-SSk22hGamUq3cxgbuUIXfRO9rcxtXAz-EaWlljV3LBloyQ2XQxNfBrgwIJX-NVN-Era9e/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NbB4HyNXY0la6gopmLlTyZaaYp8LNes6iIaCRFeVCxLc-geCv37mWPSWfei7SDl7Hs1xkL-SSk22hGamUq3cxgbuUIXfRO9rcxtXAz-EaWlljV3LBloyQ2XQxNfBrgwIJX-NVN-Era9e/s320/IMG_1179.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding a little down home feel to our already homey ranch house.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU0GP1hmH5hyfHO9_K9440vCsg-aA-COx732tp32PvMEtIhKepbkKywNmw023PZa4onHaiLPa7OmNErsg1zl6_f6ZPZwnLNbT4uUeAsGRs1fRYfzfFAewEZScRWgxBQ5hbxP1LA2C43xt/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvU0GP1hmH5hyfHO9_K9440vCsg-aA-COx732tp32PvMEtIhKepbkKywNmw023PZa4onHaiLPa7OmNErsg1zl6_f6ZPZwnLNbT4uUeAsGRs1fRYfzfFAewEZScRWgxBQ5hbxP1LA2C43xt/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The second visit to the florist on the same day... brought the crew with this time. They enjoyed their visit as well.</td></tr>
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Now, on to Juneberry pickin'!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-31262260323004926012013-07-05T08:08:00.001-07:002013-07-05T08:10:02.041-07:00Because of them..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
...we have our freedom.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJVs0F_K5zHD3R1t_20TxFyEsRxYFPxiatLOEk03HQEoYOPN9K_tjH1HIiw-_csTS6s8oRzwaKKx9s4reXDjeL-61mUuKVB6i732D6r-ONRGN61dFK5ll8ks9fuk3FHoajQJQh9R8aqPj/s1600/5F543AB9-34CC-4034-873F-4352987D8C6E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJVs0F_K5zHD3R1t_20TxFyEsRxYFPxiatLOEk03HQEoYOPN9K_tjH1HIiw-_csTS6s8oRzwaKKx9s4reXDjeL-61mUuKVB6i732D6r-ONRGN61dFK5ll8ks9fuk3FHoajQJQh9R8aqPj/s320/5F543AB9-34CC-4034-873F-4352987D8C6E.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arnegard 4th of July parade 2012 - honored color guard member Kurt T. Hovet - veteran of the Vietnam War.</td></tr>
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When I took this photo 366 days ago I was incredibly proud of so very many things for many, many reasons. I was proud to have a parent that was a veteran of this country's military. I was proud that that old ranch horse tolerated the 'city chaos' his first time to town. I was proud to be celebrating independence day among family, friends and neighbors in a community that holds 100% of my roots.<br />
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I was proud to be an American!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-18793708949841974292013-07-03T08:25:00.002-07:002013-07-03T08:25:43.455-07:00A salute to June, 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Greetings from the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation!</div>
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It has been six weeks since the last event I blogged about, branding. In that time ALOT has happened and as they say, "It has been one he#* of a ride"!<br />
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Hours after we finished working calves on May 18th the rain started to fall and it fell for the next 4 weeks to an accumulation of ten inches for us. This was too much rain for many, but ranchers can't get too much rain. I have farming friends that were able to get only a portion of their crops in and construction friends that saw 1/4 of their North Dakota construction season slip away, but for ranchers in country that only gets an average of 14 inches of moisture (thats snow and rain moisture combined) annually, June has been magical.<br />
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It may possibly resemble Brazil in someways right now, however we will be worlds apart again come fall. So, the ol' girl, Mother Nature has been kind to us in June, providing us with abundant grass and a beautiful hay crop. In this country, we usually make 5 1/2 foot diameter bales. Foreign to most, but it is how ranchers in the area determine the 'yield' of their hay crop as it seldom gets weighed. A normal crop will be a bale to the acre on average. We cover around 1,200 acres typically and on a normal year, need 900 to 1,000 bales to make it through the winter. On really dry years, CRP is opened for haying to fill the gap needed to put up enough hay to sustain the cow herd. <br />
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So far this year on the first 300 acres we have been running nearly 3 bales to the acre. Granted this will taper off for many reasons, one knowing the the best yielding hay is already up, but still this is huge for a ranching operation to bank surplus for a dry (not rainy) year (not day).<br />
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Below are a couple videos and photos that capture June, 2013's highlights and a few credit roles to the people and businesses that make it possible for us to be out here doing what we do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0WNvVmYl482J74dv3uqJErOh2h5LjA6fipvvLX-TgXwRGKARvMfOGzyt95oPQWPdS_GwUh82uFjSR5Ex7S_bhsWYezDhkPbGnCgy78vmHPFjT9zYRbpiSogVsmTHhlbtEvMtDdDw0g0n/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0WNvVmYl482J74dv3uqJErOh2h5LjA6fipvvLX-TgXwRGKARvMfOGzyt95oPQWPdS_GwUh82uFjSR5Ex7S_bhsWYezDhkPbGnCgy78vmHPFjT9zYRbpiSogVsmTHhlbtEvMtDdDw0g0n/s320/IMG_1091.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a corner of three of our pastures and the Newfield location there. Industry refers to it as an 'enviro' or 'eco' pad and it reduces the grids foot print greatly with far less total pad space, fewer roads and less pipeline infrastructure needed to move product. The natural gas from these three wells is now online, but this site flared for over six months wasting ALOT of natural gas... NOTE - in Brazil, most of their vehicles run on natural gas. Now there's an IDEA. Make it valuable so its not a wasted byproduct that we might really wish we had back in the future!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyAkps6RoUXc76nPdyhdfx2pbcD7tu9r_F3Z2JtUE3QA99BlF9E8sSKHU3pchF5tFxAcgRyEvCG0fHOWtd3T4GbW0EcT_RYWzIPizchBOCpHDKppkNqJ_xosJSyb9TDLEpIk5k46U3yr0/s1600/IMG_1090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyAkps6RoUXc76nPdyhdfx2pbcD7tu9r_F3Z2JtUE3QA99BlF9E8sSKHU3pchF5tFxAcgRyEvCG0fHOWtd3T4GbW0EcT_RYWzIPizchBOCpHDKppkNqJ_xosJSyb9TDLEpIk5k46U3yr0/s320/IMG_1090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva and I in the holding position while we were gathering cows for our annual June AI (artificial Insemination) and ET (embryo transfer) projects.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhbm4OpGMnd1TenmFGIS6HHCPHFpGp295Y7JEiPyEp-nEEzBGTXkEMWIiAXiHBViH3va4OloPEXOUVt27YMbl9YD2anEQkoxM_BGucr6oKoY5j4GvSd4gl3bgMkniS9zvrfR2V5UJGePa/s1600/IMG_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdhbm4OpGMnd1TenmFGIS6HHCPHFpGp295Y7JEiPyEp-nEEzBGTXkEMWIiAXiHBViH3va4OloPEXOUVt27YMbl9YD2anEQkoxM_BGucr6oKoY5j4GvSd4gl3bgMkniS9zvrfR2V5UJGePa/s320/IMG_1098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bittersweet to see - Nabors drilling rig #680 being stacked out in mid-June. The derrick went up on Easter Day evening and is a 'walker' meaning it can move latterly on site to drill numerous holes which greatly increases efficiency. This rig drills for XTO (Exxon Mobile) who has the lease on the minerals under the ranch. They were a great crew, many North Dakota boys working hard to make a living, many supporting families "back home" where ever that is for them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiaMzohi8wG01V1ZksMKepylB-rWHzdaahYMP-t5iAqMXt1bozARjlLoBqsIr4_j-Jxspt27L_hyTXEMmn9kQ1gLvY_0zm4v-rCn3DIHy-9ZLBtp79HqT5x8s0_ernwERnY9Lirp6rYGc/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUiaMzohi8wG01V1ZksMKepylB-rWHzdaahYMP-t5iAqMXt1bozARjlLoBqsIr4_j-Jxspt27L_hyTXEMmn9kQ1gLvY_0zm4v-rCn3DIHy-9ZLBtp79HqT5x8s0_ernwERnY9Lirp6rYGc/s320/IMG_1110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing out the last of the 'Rough Creek (pasture)' cows after AI was finished.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetzEzY7r2by2JC7clV7qank9ZNkVMrAbxjiTD7WPGmuDR31Ab4M6GysgNU1hNrH8DIoAXwyBztGuwtrqMeqZqpiAgZ7C3NxmQUUVjKnGokI6mMv8TXXmme4cRpoM7xtOIf2yqi5B40VIF/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetzEzY7r2by2JC7clV7qank9ZNkVMrAbxjiTD7WPGmuDR31Ab4M6GysgNU1hNrH8DIoAXwyBztGuwtrqMeqZqpiAgZ7C3NxmQUUVjKnGokI6mMv8TXXmme4cRpoM7xtOIf2yqi5B40VIF/s320/IMG_1114.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoss, Kyle and me rode on the way out to push the Rough Creek cows out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6tId-qw3NBuuya9_TnnKYaXr2X6V-oncdGVtsG7QNslS_hbcwpNRLU-ZCZWDRCtUKDul8H5d3R5ErU9jaoPoE0Iv5CfajcqfgtEz5abjr8Xyc6MjyqqIxUPtHXieg2oILM0ESA5SxYfa/s1600/IMG_1121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6tId-qw3NBuuya9_TnnKYaXr2X6V-oncdGVtsG7QNslS_hbcwpNRLU-ZCZWDRCtUKDul8H5d3R5ErU9jaoPoE0Iv5CfajcqfgtEz5abjr8Xyc6MjyqqIxUPtHXieg2oILM0ESA5SxYfa/s320/IMG_1121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim and Jaden rode on the way home from pushing the Rough Creek cows out... we need another Hoss.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr5enn9diet1hyh3tS3FkM2e2h9ntFGtwo9oQn5FsrdXxuwjTiPGSNfNeF4Pnt4HL28Y_h43nLlQZB4i-ArfApC6Fa0W9AZnB0e3aTSJX1-bjtODi36q4sP1XXqkgqOAD7dqxC6j-NLl5/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOr5enn9diet1hyh3tS3FkM2e2h9ntFGtwo9oQn5FsrdXxuwjTiPGSNfNeF4Pnt4HL28Y_h43nLlQZB4i-ArfApC6Fa0W9AZnB0e3aTSJX1-bjtODi36q4sP1XXqkgqOAD7dqxC6j-NLl5/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Embryo Transfer Day. Rocky Mountain Reproductive Services from Billings, MT does our work for us and has since 2004. Our 10 year anniversary will be next year! They are great and allow us to do things to improve the genetics in our herd much more quickly than we would be able to with out their services.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0oAd0IUVS1Rm_iBpop8cbf0m68JMe9vkTgUZ0OnDv06bLuZmMvpv1s6f9yqfGPeXIKqdegpQEkGjB2u3g-uslAGvklMRoMucUurLzrNGf9018LXmDpmJy5lXBQjHxn8A4ueqOwd0ilpK/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0oAd0IUVS1Rm_iBpop8cbf0m68JMe9vkTgUZ0OnDv06bLuZmMvpv1s6f9yqfGPeXIKqdegpQEkGjB2u3g-uslAGvklMRoMucUurLzrNGf9018LXmDpmJy5lXBQjHxn8A4ueqOwd0ilpK/s320/IMG_1138.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brad the 'dude'... We get off the ranch once a week to play sand volleyball on Monday nights. The first game of the first week Brad sprained his ankle. We was assigned to the Honda for a couple weeks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79YFFHJdQaybAmiqojEfR5iZIEDbtmbvmhn7Wk5wTZbQ0jtyNhnb2VRylgzLE6Bkz8R82halBhVY36OAu2LphE-CbA9H-umEquVtFKp-E_LdUSSqYco6osayCHMqakv16QgiEEiXNUgzV/s1600/IMG_1140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79YFFHJdQaybAmiqojEfR5iZIEDbtmbvmhn7Wk5wTZbQ0jtyNhnb2VRylgzLE6Bkz8R82halBhVY36OAu2LphE-CbA9H-umEquVtFKp-E_LdUSSqYco6osayCHMqakv16QgiEEiXNUgzV/s320/IMG_1140.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a wrap... we had just pushed the last of the cows out to summer grass to the Elkhorn pasture. It is all in the bull's hands now!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0jCIDwQzaNZWgZqhZfKau8BlpIydZ5x-XDJgHxo2Exgyl9MlSFj3xpuUYgZwhrX_qmIuRFLtPxB_15Gtf9E4jK-tpq-cKPg6j0WkMSfBd38Ye8QBDeZkmkJ8JFBinmc3vedWLN1OeGuG/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0jCIDwQzaNZWgZqhZfKau8BlpIydZ5x-XDJgHxo2Exgyl9MlSFj3xpuUYgZwhrX_qmIuRFLtPxB_15Gtf9E4jK-tpq-cKPg6j0WkMSfBd38Ye8QBDeZkmkJ8JFBinmc3vedWLN1OeGuG/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What do ranch kids do when its hot out and their parents won't take them in to the Wild West Water Park? They run through the sprinkler with goggles on and an umbrella over their head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuvjY3BgqfPyrU3JZRjtcTi2oFOIGZYR2aZmMAEsNp4yPW8FpC-8kAcAJtHDPCEgO9yzHWRatZIIlp5m3OYSoGkV8-PwQonQGISqkC4eSdWI2uqZ4PVlRrEvRVnH3wpB677inF2FeJPWI/s1600/IMG_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuvjY3BgqfPyrU3JZRjtcTi2oFOIGZYR2aZmMAEsNp4yPW8FpC-8kAcAJtHDPCEgO9yzHWRatZIIlp5m3OYSoGkV8-PwQonQGISqkC4eSdWI2uqZ4PVlRrEvRVnH3wpB677inF2FeJPWI/s320/IMG_1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hay crop this year is great! Brad raking...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10LV7VLjhkdSZJlawxsd4YfkqhamrrwiotLfT7yfAyJHzrpfCE3D1bAs_FkCIe4En5W3nNHJVd1MQ2VxtkjccFYGq8NLxYuSid0IvDPN-r7TzBkjJlc-eUdt-cnLUhId_iWVw9M0qp-4Z/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10LV7VLjhkdSZJlawxsd4YfkqhamrrwiotLfT7yfAyJHzrpfCE3D1bAs_FkCIe4En5W3nNHJVd1MQ2VxtkjccFYGq8NLxYuSid0IvDPN-r7TzBkjJlc-eUdt-cnLUhId_iWVw9M0qp-4Z/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle and I baling behind the rake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQr0zLkBu4bOzMtmOlO1cA-nA-FCvQN_UKUrdJwFGP0iAP0Vx1_KURWQ37tmlDxiqhA9DoKgTwtOG8-FZkrd2lubx9GYWRTFjCbQaQZjGxog9s66yBTbMJx-gotU0i5h_89znZCz6ZpOM/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQr0zLkBu4bOzMtmOlO1cA-nA-FCvQN_UKUrdJwFGP0iAP0Vx1_KURWQ37tmlDxiqhA9DoKgTwtOG8-FZkrd2lubx9GYWRTFjCbQaQZjGxog9s66yBTbMJx-gotU0i5h_89znZCz6ZpOM/s320/IMG_1154.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle with our new baling outfit. This is a huge upgrade from what Dad ran and Kyle is very proud of 'Big Johnny' - a 7230 Premium IVT which came from RDO in Hazen. Geodan and the service department there have been great. Little Johnny spent a couple weeks there and is just like new again with the exception of 4,700 hours under the engine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS98Nx32kDMjqdeninliv3kSNtQQ6x4UUaz9XEemRqCcnQey-MNr6ocw-S8M_a6dnnpeGNu6pCNpwRLR4wuCj3y__Fh5ovIWC_dBOZXukyzOEsBfu2jfGZq9U80KcywVnTcfW_7amxQfC/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS98Nx32kDMjqdeninliv3kSNtQQ6x4UUaz9XEemRqCcnQey-MNr6ocw-S8M_a6dnnpeGNu6pCNpwRLR4wuCj3y__Fh5ovIWC_dBOZXukyzOEsBfu2jfGZq9U80KcywVnTcfW_7amxQfC/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle with the new baler from Anderson Vermeer in Alexander. Ben and Janelle are great and the area is so very fortunate to have that dealership and service department close and handy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUR1rdFXzR1OJqH3E5l16FYIAeiUDkOlHdPD26a5GEObuE4KnAMSCmnPrFelMG_XfL5xvoEBFeQkpHvS_ZlAXDylJLeuJgppmbaD9UqurbmbX2rs5wmCIOvMb79Ijmo-HlscO3OVoFkF9/s1600/IMG_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUR1rdFXzR1OJqH3E5l16FYIAeiUDkOlHdPD26a5GEObuE4KnAMSCmnPrFelMG_XfL5xvoEBFeQkpHvS_ZlAXDylJLeuJgppmbaD9UqurbmbX2rs5wmCIOvMb79Ijmo-HlscO3OVoFkF9/s320/IMG_1156.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yucca is amazing this year. All it really needs to flourish is 10 inches of rain during its growing season. To cows, these blossoms are the equivalent of cheesecake to the palette that loves 'rich and creamy'. We will brave clay buttes and high, steep cliffs to get to them. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjtBjjh-NyvZIe-A7NQZ1XaVBNKiR-Cmgo06njBG6BIKNjE_d7S-XeqAr6zUVibjFjlGjHmatfQ4TqbuMIyT8_tSdam0g_6d0INlFlEZ0KleMnMsYh6UMTYEw9_R_uIVlBB77aTba3lOc/s1600/IMG_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjtBjjh-NyvZIe-A7NQZ1XaVBNKiR-Cmgo06njBG6BIKNjE_d7S-XeqAr6zUVibjFjlGjHmatfQ4TqbuMIyT8_tSdam0g_6d0INlFlEZ0KleMnMsYh6UMTYEw9_R_uIVlBB77aTba3lOc/s320/IMG_1157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my personal opinion, the mountains have nothing on the Badlands.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMiR3ruiJa9zQw7DXrXYsUhltakMy8qlutFIZXKgVMtnuxhMfcAWqcCfpVvO4MgN3Cs-1FOZKWbsjcZEhouNZLWBo9J-Np78xxHewfq6PtZ1Ois1Yf3s_p9RboPgXONsd26gVZvc2h0m5/s1600/IMG_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMiR3ruiJa9zQw7DXrXYsUhltakMy8qlutFIZXKgVMtnuxhMfcAWqcCfpVvO4MgN3Cs-1FOZKWbsjcZEhouNZLWBo9J-Np78xxHewfq6PtZ1Ois1Yf3s_p9RboPgXONsd26gVZvc2h0m5/s320/IMG_1158.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lost trucker and a beautifully green landscape.<br /></td></tr>
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When I speak in this clip about the companies operating here, what I mean is that I hope they understand and are sensitive to the fact that western North Dakota is home to many people that cherish things that oil impact is taking away from them. I have met some of the most interesting people that would have never experienced wester North Dakota if it wasn't for the oil find. I immediately connect with the ones that see it for more than a paycheck and I really thank them for 1) seeing how much our home means to 'us' and 2) for taking care of this land as if it were their own home. We hope that someday it is their home... I also hope that people understand that after the 2013 ND legislative session, what came out of that had a negative impact on relationships between people living in impacted communities (who call them home) and the oil and gas companies doing business here. A need for a grass roots movement by western North Dakota to change / fix this outcome is needed. I hope we have the voice to stand up for our home!<br />
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This clip is just a reminder of how blessed we have been this year. The first two weeks of May I was wanting a rewrite on 2013. It has been a bittersweet year to date. I know that ATTITUDE is everything and our words have power, so lets make them count... both of them. I read lots of quotes and many move me so I will close with a quote (which I can not credit) - <i><b>The best sermons are lived, not preached.</b></i><br />
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Again, here's to June, 2013 and hoping July, 2013 too wants to have a positive ATTITUDE!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-87551858045649366222013-06-04T10:19:00.003-07:002013-06-04T10:20:20.924-07:00Why we miss themGreetings from the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation.<br />
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Time is slipping away quickly this spring and I realized this morning that it has been two and a half weeks since May 18th, the day we worked calves and branded.<br />
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This is the first time ever that we have not had our anchor present for this annual event. Logistically, the day went perfect. We had an excellent crew and we finished up hours before a four day rain set in. Emotionally, the day was a mixed bag of sadness, somberness and an acute understanding of the rejuvenation and renewal of life we were witnessing.<br />
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For the first time Pete was managing the irons, a job that for the previous 44 years belonged to my dad, Kurt T Hovet. In addition to missing his presence, we also missed having Blaine Schaible with us. And so goes life's lesson on rejuvenation and renewal. I mentioned that we had a great 2013 crew. Below, a majority of them are pictured. Those not pictured - Sue & Lyle Best (Pete's mom & dad), Carla Schaible (Blaine's widow), Gina Schaible (David's wife), Rita (my mom), Morgan (Dad's only grand-daughter), who at the time this picture was taken were all helping get food ready.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTpzrZTJOV6WukNbQWto0PLluiyJCNPp8k0Xwi8XPtxybKeKjtC9MOLwn_2xpwcyB9M8pkpVRVXA9FvwMFNwe_mWn9rxLEtUdxvU6VWBmdOCoAaKh7GyMERMfr5D2tS_AsjBLjKJaPv2v/s1600/99496F94-CB3C-4FC2-B386-AA9A86D4F57D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTpzrZTJOV6WukNbQWto0PLluiyJCNPp8k0Xwi8XPtxybKeKjtC9MOLwn_2xpwcyB9M8pkpVRVXA9FvwMFNwe_mWn9rxLEtUdxvU6VWBmdOCoAaKh7GyMERMfr5D2tS_AsjBLjKJaPv2v/s320/99496F94-CB3C-4FC2-B386-AA9A86D4F57D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 Branding crew: Oops (dad's gelding, now Kim's project), Jaden (dad's grandson), Kim, Eva (my mare), Tice (Blaine's middle grandson), Pete, Hoss (Kyle's gelding), Kyle, Brad, Dos (Brad's gelding), Spud (David's gelding), Jase (Blaine's oldest grandson), Lee, David Schaible( Blaine's son), Brae (Blaine's youngest grandson). </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blaine and Kurt hunting with David several years back.</td></tr>
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There are just very few words that do justice to the feeling that comes with facing daily activities alone when even if you have been prepared for it (through life long lessons), your not comfortable with it. It causes us to miss them because they were and still are such an intrical part of who we are, what we do and why we do it. They loved the land that we love, and we love it mostly because they showed us how to see the beauty in it and how to harness the clean, meaningful living that it provides us.<br />
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We miss them because they knew the best sermons were lived and not preached (and that's what they did every day on this earth). We miss them because we know that they valued relationships above 'things'. We miss them because they were cowboys through and through with hearts that were pure, honest and genuine.<br />
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We will always miss them and we will take comfort in knowing that they miss us too. We know that someday when our branding day is not an earthly one, it will be as perfect as May 18, 2013. Although our crew will look very different, it too will be an excellent one made up of loved ones that we have been missing since the day they left. <br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-83887333228313537422013-04-23T20:50:00.000-07:002013-04-23T21:00:27.873-07:00Happy Belated Earth Day!Greetings from the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation!<br />
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I had every good intention of posting on Earth Day 2013. Instead of finding time to carry out good intentions, life happened.<br />
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Business as usual and then some played out at the ranch. We had a couple SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) out to help us collect data for making decisions in settling Dad's affairs and we conducted a little hillbilly business as well. A term you are not familiar with? How about hillbilly bartering? Doing business that doesn't involve cash where both parties walk away winners and where they are usually trading things that most folks would not find value in.<br />
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One of my absolute favorite commercial cows, #505 broke her leg three years ago. Most cows would not have handled it well and would have had to be humanely put down shortly after an injury such as this (which due to the location of the break was not able to be casted). 505 on the other had was tough as nails and had survivor's instinct. She continued to maintain good flesh and served as a wonderful lawn mower the last two summers. Pete had the brilliant idea a couple weeks ago that maybe we should see if Jeffery Kindle, a local carpenter and hunter could come out and give us a couple estimates on projects that need to be done out here, and well, since he would be out, see if he would want to harvest 505 for hamburger. Both parties walked away winners and 505 served the purpose that she was destined to while as humans we made the most of a bad situation.<br />
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Although not glamorous, in a nut shell, the day was a good representation of what Earth Day means to me. Its not about the environment movement, hugging trees or lobbying congress to put large tracts of land (natural resources) into preservation mode so members of the concrete jungle can retreat there on weekends and not have to step in cow poo (AKA - organic, all natural fertilizer). In my view, it is about using our resources wisely and helping people understand that as our global population grows we need to adjust in a way that provides the most amount of sustainability possible considering the situation.<br />
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Brad sent me a really interesting link that was part of one of his senior seminar classes this semester. I really enjoyed it and figured that it would be a nice share for our Earth Day celebration... a little belated, but still worth the watch.<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ted.com%2Ftalks%2Fallan_savory_how_to_green_the_world_s_deserts_and_reverse_climate_change.html&h=8AQHH1tmT">How to green the world's deserts and reverse climate change</a><br />
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Again, HAPPY BELATED EARTH DAY!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-22568923754756790172013-04-10T11:15:00.002-07:002013-04-13T05:29:56.874-07:00Angels among us... while we dust ourselves off and get back up in the saddle<br />
HOME matters to me. All four of my grandparents were children of homesteaders in McKenzie County. I LOVE my home and all it represents... where my roots are, pursuit of dreams, truth to self, family and neighbors, commitment to future generations, love of God's creation, and devotion to stewardship of the vast resources found here.<br />
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We buried my father on April 5th after his unexpected death on Easter morning. Devastating to say the least. It rocked our family (which is huge in numbers and strength) to the core. I found myself heartbroken, but at the same time wondering what it would be like going through this personal loss in any other community other than Watford City, McKenzie County, North Dakota, USA. The outpouring of support, love and spiritual comfort was absolutely overwhelming and there are no words to explain how much that means. <br />
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Kurt T. Hovet was a quiet, strong, steady, gentle, kind, amazing person. His presence made you a better person for knowing him and being around him with out you realizing it until his physical presence left us on Easter morning 2013.<br />
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On Monday, April 8th just when we were attempting to dust ourselves off and get back up in the saddle as he would do, I learned that the state legislature, the Senate specifically was busy removing needed funding for HIS home and the home of so many others. I felt I had to drive down to Bismarck and explain why this wasn't OK. I did and then I drew from the quiet, strong, steady, humble way of 'being' that made my father such an amazing man.<br />
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Below are the two news segments that were aired afterwards. The KUMV segment used random footage shot out in oil country from 2012. As a quick note, dad had been into the hospital twice in the last year. Once last fall for an X-ray and then on February 25, 2013, his 69th birthday for his annual blood screening. <br />
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The KUMV random shots were of traffic on the roads and little children in schools and a man walking into the McKenzie County Hospital. THAT MAN WAS KURT T HOVET walking into the hospital on one of those two occasions. He is wearing the same shirt that we buried him in and the cap and boots that he had on when he reached the emergency room on Easter morning. My mom and sister both asked if I had provided the footage or suggested it for the piece since dad was included in it. I didn't even know it existed. All I could think as I watched it today - that even in dad's afterlife, God kept all of those amazing characteristics... QUIET, STRONG, STEADY and HUMBLE... of the man and then made him perfect adding one more characteristic that his earthly self didn't exhibit. TIMING. For a man that was notoriously late all the time, even for his own wedding, his accidental timing in front of that camera back last fall or this past February and the resurrection of that footage for this piece... AMAZING TIMING!<br />
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<a href="http://www.kumv.com/Video_News.asp?news=63140">KUMV Bismack</a><br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/ZfGyiZ">KXMC Bismarck</a><br />
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Angels among us... Truly.<br />
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Whether you live in western North Dakota or not, contact the Senate Appropriates committee if any of the communities or resources in oil country have significant meaning to you. It really does matter and being able to make things 'RIGHT' and 'TRUTHFUL' for home would make dad really proud.<br />
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<a content="http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/62-2011/committees/senate/appropriations" href="http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/62-2011/committees/senate/appropriations" id=".reactRoot[15].[1][3][1]{comment523556987685770_523674914340644}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[1]" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: #edeff4; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/62-2011/committees/senate/appropriations</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-61146236101227162132013-03-30T19:10:00.000-07:002013-03-30T19:10:01.502-07:00From the baby pen to the toddler pastureGreetings from Elkhorn Creek Ranch near the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation!<br />
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Kyle attends 'Wigs N Gigs' (Formally, Wiggles and Giggles - the most wonderfully managed and staffed day care center I have ever seen... and when I worked for the local public health unit in Mandan I inspected child care facilities giving a lot to compare it to). At Wigs N Gigs there are three different groups of kids in the organization. The Baby Room babies, the toddlers in the Toddler Room, and the Pre-school Room kids. It is a big deal at Wigs to get moved to the next room as a child ages and progresses.<br />
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Yesterday on the ranch ALL the 2013 babies to date moved from the baby pen to the 'toddler pasture'. In a normal year, we move 'pairs' (each pair being a mom and her baby) out every weekend and in a typical March we are getting around 50 babies a week. Therefore we normally move about 50 pairs out to the 'toddler pasture' one day a week. Well, yesterday Pete and Oops and Hoss and I moved 120 pairs out in response to finally having agreeable weather and needing to get the second cycle cows moved into the calving / baby pasture.<br />
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The thing about moving pairs, it is a process that requires patience (which I have very little of) and lots and lots of time. Each mom and baby have to be paired up (brought together physically with a moment to bond, so they recognize that each is 'theirs'). If this isn't done, the calf doesn't follow the cow and the cow runs off looking for her calf (even if it is next to her because she hasn't smelled it yet recognizing it as hers) and is hard to handle. Did I mention I don't have a lot of patience?<br />
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Yesterday was a beautiful day and we had the horses 'chained' up... they have sharp shoes on to sure up their footing in the mud and on the ice (both are every where right now). We moved out just over 120 pairs in six hours. Right at sun down I opened up the living room door (which faces the pair pasture) and listened for a few minutes. Things were quite and no one was bellarring for their calf or bawling for their mother. That would define the day as a successful one and the transition from the Baby Room to the Toddler Room a smooth one for the first half of the class of 2013.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoss following out two of the 120 pairs that we moved out yesterday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_RJvOl7a-mZz-8KDSP_M811Hmi9scBG9EDbFYJzcR_QdAKcK3ii_Fz4-zfMWrJLN9Yq5RcVpJjqQE0t1Yl0-GpdV98vySZgbQFR4yM55mMv-1RGqsP5NivCPl3s1zg_g_PD1T-XFfGe9/s1600/65FDA774-C124-4E16-A5AB-736512235FD7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_RJvOl7a-mZz-8KDSP_M811Hmi9scBG9EDbFYJzcR_QdAKcK3ii_Fz4-zfMWrJLN9Yq5RcVpJjqQE0t1Yl0-GpdV98vySZgbQFR4yM55mMv-1RGqsP5NivCPl3s1zg_g_PD1T-XFfGe9/s320/65FDA774-C124-4E16-A5AB-736512235FD7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete and Oops following out a 'lazy' calf that kept thinking Oops was it's mother. In that case, a periodic push to encourage it to pair up and follow its mother is necessary.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBTDLFCa7mQ90VBPil8AckdWGhzt_lCVYKUDrrCdB-V-1_L4zNjrpzfO3Z_EXlgz4Sxfjbjnb5pIjuWAO4aDWXDXaj0AkSx1b6BqdmuJlDnOOBfWYDkIQiQJ5m7d8mhyNLtKa7GmoTEZt/s1600/3C0BBDA8-F572-451B-909F-A05A4A6F4463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBTDLFCa7mQ90VBPil8AckdWGhzt_lCVYKUDrrCdB-V-1_L4zNjrpzfO3Z_EXlgz4Sxfjbjnb5pIjuWAO4aDWXDXaj0AkSx1b6BqdmuJlDnOOBfWYDkIQiQJ5m7d8mhyNLtKa7GmoTEZt/s320/3C0BBDA8-F572-451B-909F-A05A4A6F4463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pairs after settling in late yesterday afternoon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1AyZb5XWdUXvK4LVPKS6K-FssfZqXXOmHuPiqN39aOCxMcoWYFActJTzmrhCz0S0v6TGVYBlbAbPpFWDzebra2ZiWHv_KQ5SDjXj_-YAL-Is1t_tey44R3hJeihJuToMDjpWCG01rC6H/s1600/321AA16A-04BA-4373-BF52-4C4431270348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1AyZb5XWdUXvK4LVPKS6K-FssfZqXXOmHuPiqN39aOCxMcoWYFActJTzmrhCz0S0v6TGVYBlbAbPpFWDzebra2ZiWHv_KQ5SDjXj_-YAL-Is1t_tey44R3hJeihJuToMDjpWCG01rC6H/s320/321AA16A-04BA-4373-BF52-4C4431270348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The morning after. All was still calm with no bellaring or bawling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ06n6VrwVDroaGRjIiBGqFdwQ_A0wiqlZF0HeJIjTAcC7tF9YhGXQvHEHBhyphenhyphen2L0ovBVpCiAM9wIYspTfTm34fZ05YzCbvm6dDgd7BsgoZI9Ouhm1C3rQMdoOy3eCAwgV5WRd-2hcOvI4/s1600/8066CCF8-D645-45D2-84C8-F4E8FA0BC4D3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJ06n6VrwVDroaGRjIiBGqFdwQ_A0wiqlZF0HeJIjTAcC7tF9YhGXQvHEHBhyphenhyphen2L0ovBVpCiAM9wIYspTfTm34fZ05YzCbvm6dDgd7BsgoZI9Ouhm1C3rQMdoOy3eCAwgV5WRd-2hcOvI4/s320/8066CCF8-D645-45D2-84C8-F4E8FA0BC4D3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peace, quite and happiness in the Toddler pasture!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-33775797795092083332013-03-26T12:26:00.001-07:002013-03-26T12:26:14.960-07:00The old man's reprieveGreetings from that place.<br />
<br />
We finally convinced old man winter to give us a little bit of break, but not before he sprinkled 4 inches of snow on us last weekend (probably to spite my complaining to y'all in my last post). Although we are still getting around to below zero temperatures at night we are getting sun and real feel temperatures that exceed the actual temperatures during the day time. Little black fur coats absorb that stuff right up. Needless to say, the last two days there have been lots of happy campers - from the cows and calves, to the horses, the cat herd, the dogs, the kid and the adult folk!<br />
<br />
WE LOVE THE SUN!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FtloYhyGtGb6Q7BmhIy5AzH5CKjXvN-y6KwRCZ7ZDzW0qLHlT9wXMou8SEYyaKqeHIZNaTKwe-2TneKrmkyh1Y66opj5Yzumx17do5jTilWprJaNvEi8-dqVuuHhEW47megL0TQi8W8G/s1600/F5410E79-B8FF-4EED-8E6A-5F12694FAAEE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FtloYhyGtGb6Q7BmhIy5AzH5CKjXvN-y6KwRCZ7ZDzW0qLHlT9wXMou8SEYyaKqeHIZNaTKwe-2TneKrmkyh1Y66opj5Yzumx17do5jTilWprJaNvEi8-dqVuuHhEW47megL0TQi8W8G/s320/F5410E79-B8FF-4EED-8E6A-5F12694FAAEE.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If at first you don't succeed, try oh try again! The sun trying to shine through the day time clouds that have haunted us most of February and March.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUoWpsqAHZP7FFQ1znY8-dF5nlyobaU1VUO4WHYlAaqYCE-iOWjr22eUTVEc8HEjuyWYCSVs2Yx7vWE2OZrwsGNtGfsq0rGmsqTn6fOSyUC4eQ2KN7CcPjzn5K9I2xsYCEMMphYghtHFG/s1600/982E8BB5-51DB-4645-A4B7-33B99A2466CE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUoWpsqAHZP7FFQ1znY8-dF5nlyobaU1VUO4WHYlAaqYCE-iOWjr22eUTVEc8HEjuyWYCSVs2Yx7vWE2OZrwsGNtGfsq0rGmsqTn6fOSyUC4eQ2KN7CcPjzn5K9I2xsYCEMMphYghtHFG/s320/982E8BB5-51DB-4645-A4B7-33B99A2466CE.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyle' s cat herd enjoying the sun shining through the ridge cap of the barn yesterday! Three brothers, all brain surgery recipients. From the good feline stock of Dale and Barb Jorgenson: l to r - Huckle, Peaches and Shy Guy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ext-ZUwZI5tQ4ziVUJfkP9zGLcF1nPtZjJ7zNp86AuTEzypu30Q6RGKHjFJFnoMe4Z7rmqfRcrSnGzutL0KyF9m2xF3d_IdZ5kNZPPqilla1LaRH2gL1DTscJa4Qi7dWl6jxMQpzebZ/s1600/1DEDD53C-DFFD-464A-8847-E717435A7702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5ext-ZUwZI5tQ4ziVUJfkP9zGLcF1nPtZjJ7zNp86AuTEzypu30Q6RGKHjFJFnoMe4Z7rmqfRcrSnGzutL0KyF9m2xF3d_IdZ5kNZPPqilla1LaRH2gL1DTscJa4Qi7dWl6jxMQpzebZ/s320/1DEDD53C-DFFD-464A-8847-E717435A7702.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot from the high point of the calving pasture where we fed hay yesterday to get them as close to that wonderful March sun as possible. This is looking down to the flax straw wind break and wheat straw bedding that has been liberally used the past two and a half weeks to keep the babies warm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M64ltb5a9mizzAh8nrzEVeuKksgY8Z1wxUEyO-A1EeEm9ni1ENST1Vj9WboiHOQ1Z3VRQ1pH-CZtn_HAf0uB4dPnJqBI_fneaE-d3jU7t5EG6HGxrAlsjCTj59XPMNwR7qYlCbv9bnEL/s1600/1D73582E-01E4-4088-AEF8-16E40377A0DB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M64ltb5a9mizzAh8nrzEVeuKksgY8Z1wxUEyO-A1EeEm9ni1ENST1Vj9WboiHOQ1Z3VRQ1pH-CZtn_HAf0uB4dPnJqBI_fneaE-d3jU7t5EG6HGxrAlsjCTj59XPMNwR7qYlCbv9bnEL/s320/1D73582E-01E4-4088-AEF8-16E40377A0DB.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"># 306 - Two weeks old and already enjoying the alfalfa hay with the cows. Monkey see, monkey do!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPi2X7pAdIMDNF9SLfUDkYg395nIBUpXyhFt1_BGCAFZ5FUD3hvns8wBKtEwa_Suq4lwQ2Kk_m26CIGRq0H-_oWHhX7vnp2irTqgmr1TvHtoeOjsBKM3pX6n7P6C_w7261AXRnVJPqvo0/s1600/CDF15248-AA21-4451-9D69-15C01054EC3A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPi2X7pAdIMDNF9SLfUDkYg395nIBUpXyhFt1_BGCAFZ5FUD3hvns8wBKtEwa_Suq4lwQ2Kk_m26CIGRq0H-_oWHhX7vnp2irTqgmr1TvHtoeOjsBKM3pX6n7P6C_w7261AXRnVJPqvo0/s320/CDF15248-AA21-4451-9D69-15C01054EC3A.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#3003 posing for me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The herd on the hill.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LC_becPzhbLpQKbIzLbmr3Ms0jRwBcat9LbraDWvXz-lffCzmk8QW_UWKOYj_V5PjNxY6QCrkg6pUqitBrUm5qFfvm76MBVF11L1Xj40gFVtke-zEyzq8oRJE9Zd1kJAbg8ehr5cZ7jO/s1600/B4EEC5E9-5785-4C1D-B61E-2201E6A19054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LC_becPzhbLpQKbIzLbmr3Ms0jRwBcat9LbraDWvXz-lffCzmk8QW_UWKOYj_V5PjNxY6QCrkg6pUqitBrUm5qFfvm76MBVF11L1Xj40gFVtke-zEyzq8oRJE9Zd1kJAbg8ehr5cZ7jO/s320/B4EEC5E9-5785-4C1D-B61E-2201E6A19054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A second bedded location added yesterday which is on the south face of the hill to give them more space and more sun shine.</td></tr>
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That's all I know for now! I am headed out to enjoy the sun too! Until next time...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-20362145409026232502013-03-20T15:46:00.001-07:002013-03-20T15:46:00.218-07:00Elkhorn Creek Ranch Echoes: No room at the Inn<a href="http://elkhorncreekranch.blogspot.com/2013/03/no-room-at-inn.html?spref=bl">Elkhorn Creek Ranch Echoes: No room at the Inn</a>: Greetings from Elkhorn Creek Ranch near the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation! It's official. We are at war with the weather. Dec...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5405768579311827125.post-67585972536881930662013-03-20T15:38:00.002-07:002013-03-20T15:38:36.819-07:00No room at the InnGreetings from Elkhorn Creek Ranch near the epicenter of the Bakken oil formation!<br />
<br />
It's official. We are at war with the weather. December and January were beautiful and then came February and March. The ONLY positive to 'winter 2012-13' is that there isn't much snow on the ground. It has been COLD and WINDY and I am getting crabbier by the day.<br />
<br />
So here we are... Two weeks into calving and it has been a struggle. Thankfully we have a great support staff. Pete's mom has a hot meal ready frequently and both G-ma's help shuttle Kyle around and take care of him. Pete's dad is always there to help and my dad loves to feed hay for us, but honestly with the miserable weather calving has been more than a full time job for the two of us.<br />
<br />
NOTE - as I write, my 'normal 3:00 a.m. shift' (in theory, each of us has been trying to get 6 hours of sleep a day) started a couple hours early with Pete coming in and waking me with news that he had to take '515' to the Watford City Veterinary Clinic. Her abnormal presentation after exploratory palpation was upside down, twisted and backwards. He probably should have counted heads, ears and feet!<br />
<br />
So he loaded her up and headed down the road to see Dr. Pedersen at 1:58 A.M... Another topic for another day... the dedication of mixed animal (large and small) practice vets.<br />
<br />
PAUSE.<br />
<br />
It is now 4:55 P.M. Pete made it home from the vet clinic twelve hours ago with a healthy cow, but twins that did not survive. Every year in October we have all of our cows ultra sounded by High Plains Vet Clinic out of Sidney, Montana. They tell us the cow's due dates and if they are having a bull calf or a heifer calf. Dr. Hovde has never missed twins before, but this one surprised us.<br />
<br />
In the mean time, we have had nine calves (which have been weighed and tagged with most of them spending the first couple hours of their lives in the 'warming box') since midnight. We have cleaned and re-bedded the calving barn and the close up cows, fed and watered all the close up and recently delivered cows, milked the colostrum from '515', done a couple loads of laundry, made some phone calls and started supper.<br />
<br />
Pete in that same time has showed the sale bulls and heifers to three private treaty customers and made some additional phone calls concerning the business it takes to run a ranch...<br />
<br />
SO, combined, we are working on 7 hours of sleep. Hopefully, if the wind dies down tonight we can go from hourly calving checks to every two hour checks for one night before the wickedly cold temperatures set in again tomorrow. If the wind doesn't settle, it will be another sleepless night (and they are really starting to string together)! Old Man Winter holds all the cards... TGIA (thank goodness for adrenaline).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 3:00 AM survival gear!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBho6Ygf38p6VB03oW3L29N9QP73H9G0-sCTsDUwWsPUmYsGpeui9DFN5gOoRDQcgBQM-R8amV87LmxQpEqyqaWYoCb9VCbWt9qlmhfaaI3DinyRn9gyjWSRO4jlawEFtPtMoK5RCg0cZ/s1600/2180E0B9-C59F-4332-B536-CC334BEA6D6A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBho6Ygf38p6VB03oW3L29N9QP73H9G0-sCTsDUwWsPUmYsGpeui9DFN5gOoRDQcgBQM-R8amV87LmxQpEqyqaWYoCb9VCbWt9qlmhfaaI3DinyRn9gyjWSRO4jlawEFtPtMoK5RCg0cZ/s320/2180E0B9-C59F-4332-B536-CC334BEA6D6A.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note - the average highs for March are in the 40's with lows in the double digits. NOT this year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia074aLgFKtTbeLmoY5uMxckRX1ZvYaSY8nhgT6kpGYHRqiscxUZ1r_xPcfD23ewpWS5kbKhSyp1Jwx5Oa_r3iyCKKzlDcmZXrA9RpYV1CzZ4570zC9OWl_oms1cnYv7djykag_kIRAqSB/s1600/633DBD94-C45A-475C-8D9F-6615E1D26D0C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia074aLgFKtTbeLmoY5uMxckRX1ZvYaSY8nhgT6kpGYHRqiscxUZ1r_xPcfD23ewpWS5kbKhSyp1Jwx5Oa_r3iyCKKzlDcmZXrA9RpYV1CzZ4570zC9OWl_oms1cnYv7djykag_kIRAqSB/s320/633DBD94-C45A-475C-8D9F-6615E1D26D0C.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The alarm set for hourly check reminders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IjZYZ0TPBKbMZaJ6M_M6xz8TkiHgilzYOn3_rw0EIHU11qRgw7wheA_GF_1fghv7t8EM2Em9Jd6kM8UUc-SFkFBOUa44RPNI-B_V4VNYZC-qaaWLagi-ssPn3Coo86kfIq6LrcRsALdV/s1600/18E5A285-9A99-4BC6-A5C2-733B81DB6218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IjZYZ0TPBKbMZaJ6M_M6xz8TkiHgilzYOn3_rw0EIHU11qRgw7wheA_GF_1fghv7t8EM2Em9Jd6kM8UUc-SFkFBOUa44RPNI-B_V4VNYZC-qaaWLagi-ssPn3Coo86kfIq6LrcRsALdV/s320/18E5A285-9A99-4BC6-A5C2-733B81DB6218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I heard someone say eat the ground hog and lynch the weathermen this year. I don't think those things would help, but I am thinking spring for sanity's sake (thus the Ground Hog and the Weathermen's sake).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmPiJ-nqS-mnQbxyEGu8BQOW1Cx3xSNZIhD8j7ZZeoTrZ2a1OZSpqudlsq6MGSzIc9fj2NLg2UnbA9PGN3tI4nS2ib19N6yYzR2IE-mcxjcjd1tj900bQeUf3j5HVOMk8lHkRFWkvtiOq/s1600/5BBD80FA-5F02-4DD6-9FA3-AB823E9C2D01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmPiJ-nqS-mnQbxyEGu8BQOW1Cx3xSNZIhD8j7ZZeoTrZ2a1OZSpqudlsq6MGSzIc9fj2NLg2UnbA9PGN3tI4nS2ib19N6yYzR2IE-mcxjcjd1tj900bQeUf3j5HVOMk8lHkRFWkvtiOq/s320/5BBD80FA-5F02-4DD6-9FA3-AB823E9C2D01.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The real feel was -24 out side, but ONLY zero in the calving barn this fine night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrBsHv7BoZc2Xdst2ApkrJx43DxHmf5TZ3i4qKmtpWb8xjXwur2yI0x5Cz_2NDHVXtVJ2E7Q23rHSxX4Mt_ud5zSZVzx6Qlcl8dXwGYWG2Xp8E-ikXM9Z4XsdK9-V28lcrYcQhzv-vxSx/s1600/8BCD6F2D-67D7-453C-B25B-35A3E9752258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrBsHv7BoZc2Xdst2ApkrJx43DxHmf5TZ3i4qKmtpWb8xjXwur2yI0x5Cz_2NDHVXtVJ2E7Q23rHSxX4Mt_ud5zSZVzx6Qlcl8dXwGYWG2Xp8E-ikXM9Z4XsdK9-V28lcrYcQhzv-vxSx/s320/8BCD6F2D-67D7-453C-B25B-35A3E9752258.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A heated calving barn is on my wish list. In the mean time, these 'warming boxes' warm and dry new born babies. Once they are dry they spend a day in the calving barn before heading out with the other pairs. Once out with the other pairs they have wind break and lots of straw for bedding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmOH4BEGHRz3rZPgzc8bGjTZbymAx-rKm32Af69BRkm2M2Dbc8Ko48A9ZbWvn6dh8V6GZw0JYszC80hepMu_3zLX1IwbDk98QLQGL_GIcPSnYFOjLhLt5bkgfT8i0zIAT_iGNBA8VOlMG/s1600/4CF5C517-D4BF-4040-8F61-12795487224E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOmOH4BEGHRz3rZPgzc8bGjTZbymAx-rKm32Af69BRkm2M2Dbc8Ko48A9ZbWvn6dh8V6GZw0JYszC80hepMu_3zLX1IwbDk98QLQGL_GIcPSnYFOjLhLt5bkgfT8i0zIAT_iGNBA8VOlMG/s320/4CF5C517-D4BF-4040-8F61-12795487224E.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calving barn this morning after regrouping and catching up from the very cold night, very hectic night. Everyone was especially glad to see the sun this morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv9C9KhQ_YWRi4J-udL-1wG2Y7Dnldnkq8NAJWNDiCYcA2JA6pGaDikkBDSlxAucw8pQMZtpisORnxOGnpIDBNl_5UR5tFu7QPAmh4HN9CzzotSPENo58hhxokzh-lz_KA-RmTngxVQeN/s1600/A7DE0524-4151-4820-99CE-2FDFF7B69139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv9C9KhQ_YWRi4J-udL-1wG2Y7Dnldnkq8NAJWNDiCYcA2JA6pGaDikkBDSlxAucw8pQMZtpisORnxOGnpIDBNl_5UR5tFu7QPAmh4HN9CzzotSPENo58hhxokzh-lz_KA-RmTngxVQeN/s320/A7DE0524-4151-4820-99CE-2FDFF7B69139.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More happy pairs... As you can see, the INN is FULL!</td></tr>
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Until next time, here's to another sleepless night!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13792732608100704392noreply@blogger.com0