National Ag Day, or What Will I Be When I Grow Up

You know, I could have been anything I wanted to be...at least that is what my parents told me! I had the college education, a strong work ethic, awesomely supportive parents and even enough money to live for a bit while I "found myself." ....and I chose to live in Poedunk, USA and marry a guy who likes cows!

If you think that I never question that decision, you are wrong!! Most recently, during the blizzard in February when we were having 20 calves a day in the snowbanks--working around the clock to save the little buggers, I truly questioned why I didn't choose a desk job.  I'm a writer, for goodness sake! I have a journalism degree!! Why do I spend my days slogging through the mud to feed an orphan calf who lost his mama in the storm, or getting up early to deliver hay to the cows before heading to a doctor's appointment in the nearby town--45 miles away? Isn't there an easier way to make a living and support a family?! Seriously!?

Yes, of course there are easier ways...but they all come with their own stresses and difficulties.  I know, there is no perfect and easy life. There are days when I wouldn't trade my life for anyone else's.  Today is one of those days! We are nearing the end of calving season, my boys are out building fence on their Spring Break from high school and my husband took the week off of work at the bank to be with his boys.  We set our own schedule, make our own to-do list and get to do it all with our kids!

I have always been sunshine-dependent. And that is more and more evident as I age...if I can't see out a window most of the day, I will go stir crazy! I must have direct sunlight to make me happy! So an outside job is what I need.  I do have days that I never get to be outside--I leave the feeding chores to someone else and I work at my desk on bookwork or writing all day. But I do have a window that has no curtains--yes, seriously! And I can see for miles from any window in my house.  (yes, we do have trees in Kansas, but not very big ones on the hill where my house sits!)

But most of all, I get to take care of animals. I really enjoy animals, especially cows! They each have a personality and I do enjoy trying to figure out what makes each of them tick. The cow who accidentally stepped on her calf and broke his leg and I have a close relationship right now. Her calf is wearing a long cast on her front leg, and must keep it dry. So she spends most of her day in a stall in the barn. But the cow waits each morning for me to come to the barn door to let her out with the other cows to eat and drink all day. Each evening, she is waiting (not always patiently) at the gate for me to open it and let her into the barnyard to walk to the barn door to find her calf and spend the night in her stall.  She and I have an understanding--she knows how to get in and out of the "people" door of the barn and I will let her just walk at her own pace to get to her calf. The door that cows usually get into the barn is on the back side of the barn and takes much longer to get her around to, so I tried the "people" door and she figured it out fine.  THAT is the kind of thing that just makes my day!!

I like living in the country. I like working beside my husband and kids. I like hanging around with cows. I like setting my own schedule. I like making my own decisions. I like being a mom. I like volunteering at the school. I like baking brownies with peanut butter frosting. I like being a rancher. I like being responsible for the care of 500 or so cows. I like calving season. I like taking the cattle to grass in the spring. I like my job.

So happy National Ag Day and thank you for being a part of my life--my experience. I like blogging and I like connecting with people who don't live in Poedunk! I like my life! I guess I'll be a rancher when I grow up.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Debbie - Was just snooping through your blog a bit as Jodi (Oleen) directed me by phone because I had a blogspot question and she knew we could figure it out by looking at your blog. That probably doesn't make a bit of sense, but never mind.... Anyway, while I was here I decided to read some of your blog posts. Love how you write - now wonder so many people enjoy your blog! Keep up the good work promoting ag, cattle, eating beef, family and farm life. I am hoping that one day our paths will cross where we can take a minute to visit face to face. Your fan, Chef Alli

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    1. Actually, that makes PERFECT sense!! Thanks for checking out my blog! I hope you got your question answered. I'd love to visit one day, as I greatly admire you! Thanks for all you do!

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  2. Just read the story about you in the Agriculturist. You are in your sweet spot--congratulations on a beautiful family and blessed life. Fun to remember some K-State memories with you. All the best.
    Jennifer Dorsch Erickson

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    1. OH gosh...you are so right! I've never heard that before "sweet spot!" Perfect! I feel like things are going right in my lil family and I'm really enjoying the respite from all the stressful times when they were little!! :)

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  3. I love ur blog and am so glad i stumbled upon it! I so relate to this post too! U see i'm an IT graduate and ended up marrying a cow loving guy too and am now happily living on a dairy farm :)

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    1. I'm glad you stumbled on my blog too! It sounds like you do understand my love of the country and this life. A dairy farm is a wonderful place to raise kids!

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  4. Once an Aggie always an Aggie...
    Great blog and thank you for it! Your time, creativeness, truth and all effort are very much appreciated on many levels.

    Question; what is your favorite ranch breakfast and can you also include the recipes,please?

    and also what is the one thing in your pocket you are never caught without?
    Thanks again!

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    1. Hahaha! my favorite breakfast? Hot coffee with cream!! That is my typical breakfast. And of course, I always have a pocket knife and lip gloss. I actually have a blog about that: http://kansascattleranch.blogspot.com/2010/02/pocket-knife-lip-gloss-tools-of-trade.html

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  5. Are your cattle mainly replacement cattle or do you use them for feeders also?

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    1. Maggie, we do both! For example, I have about 100 Angus bull calves born each year. I only keep approximately 35-50 to sell as seedstock or use on my own cows. The rest are castrated and they are fed out at a nearby feedyard.

      We also run a heifer development program--we buy around 350 weaned heifers from people who buy bulls from us. We raise them and breed them and run them on grass through the summer. Then we pregnancy check them in late summer. The ones that are open end up in the feedyard and the bred heifers will be sold at the end of grass season.

      I guess we have fingers in many different pies!

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