After Calving? Brandin'!

~My task in life is to be a happy woman.~

~Mabel Collins 1887~

Last Thursday, my older brother, brother-in-law, and a friend of theirs came to hunt sage rats for four days. So, it was a whirlwind of activity...when I'm not that good at being a hostess. But, we all had a great time, ate Traeger BBQ dinners and caught up on lots of family stuff.

Friday, we got another taste of spring; 70 degrees and yard work. Saturday...well, the wind woke everyone up...then the rain came...then the snow...crazy weather!

Monday, My Man got the day off and we went brandin' at the neighbors. It was supposed to be 60 degrees, but it never made it there, and the wind was a lil' bit stout too (you can tell by the layers of clothes). But everyone had a great time...

Joe and Pat (my farrier) makin' a catch...the heeler then brings the calf
 to the fire while the header follows along with a slack rope. The
ground crew then flanks the calf to the ground and places
the head rope on the two front hooves and the
riders keep the ropes taught.

Good lookin' horses 'n buckaroos...always fun to watch.

Jeff catchin' two heels.

The fire has to be tended just right to keep the
irons hot enough to make a good brand.

Pat and Jeff each have the heels on their two calves...the horses hold steady
while the calf is branded, vaccinated, the ears are notched, and
if it's a bull calf, he's castrated.

My Man is laying on the brand while Bossman Dan looks on.

And when the works all done...Gretchen's Dutch oven cookin'...The BEST!

The day before that (Sunday) we helped brand at the 3J Ranch...look at the beautiful blue skies!! It wasn't 70 degrees, but the sun sure was warming.

Cotton Clouds

The calves were separated from the cows and then ran
through the calf table; vaccinated, branded, castrated.

Grandpa places the brand. He's been using this
 same brand for 50 years...family tradition.

Wednesday will be sorting pairs for the 3J getting them ready to move out to spring pasture and Saturday I'll help trailing a herd across the desert with Bossman Dan...Colt's gettin' his fair share of cow work in!