Ranch Heritage

Trust everyone, but always brand your cattle!

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Determined Flanker!

It seems the only thing I know how to blog about anymore is branding.  Maybe it is because that is when I get a couple of days off and get “caught up”!  Well, another branding is in the books, and it was relatively uneventful compared to last year.  There was a minor hiccup, when Macklee threw her friend Brody off the golf cart and he banged his head, but other than that a real pleasant day.

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A Hand For Sure!

When you click through old branding pictures, the only thing that truly changes is the kids.  Time is precious, and in this drought it seems to be evaporating quickly.  Dalli now is old enough at 12 to do everything!  She saddles the horses, peels the chili, flanks, and cooks dinner and desert for the cowboys.  We are so proud of our girls and hope we are instilling in them the love of their ranching heritage.   After all, they are the 5th generation ranchers.  In a couple of years, we may not need too many neighbors to help.  (Think of all the money we’ll save in beer!)

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It is work to feed America.  However,  we are so thankful to raise our kids on the ranch, where they learn to work hard, and to appreciate God’s blessings everyday.

Girl Power

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The most eventful part of the day (read “Branding 911” below) over shadowed our new, up and coming branding crew.  Eric Encinias and our neighbor Marcelo were excellent teachers for the next generation (which just happens to be all girls!)

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The girls did an amazing job and were fearless.  So much so that when both flanking crews were busy, and a third calf came, Macklee went to grab the rope alone! This is a picture of her mad after I would let her take that calf by herself.  (Mean mom!)IMG_7701

The next branding we went to they were able to practice some more.
If these girls continue to be such a great flanking crew, think of all the money we will save on beer!