So it's been over a month since I blogged anything. Mainly because I don't have any pictures and isn't that really the best part. I do have some videos, but I'll give you all a break on bucking bull videos.
We went to a bull riding in Idaho Springs a few weekends ago. It was a benefit for breast cancer and I was pretty disappointed in the turnout. Only 1/3 of the bull riders that were expected showed up. For a benefit I expect more! They only had left hand deliveries so we were limited to only taking Dr. Suess. He was put in the short-go and bucked his guy off pretty quickly. Phil heard the producer say "now, that's a short-go bull!"
While there we ran into an old college buddy. It was nice to catch up and re-hash old memories. When we were in college he spurred himself in the butt after coming off a bronc. He was told to take a bath in Epsom salt to relieve the pain. He didn't have any Epsom salt, so he used table salt...Yeah, not the best idea and to say the least it did nothing but increase the pain. I have other stories, and probably better ones, but none that are clean enough for the board....I had to laugh every time I looked at the guy.
Saturday after that my cousin came up with her boyfriend and we took them up to Estes Park. Didn't realize they were having a special event and the place was packed! We didn't do much but eat lunch, but I still enjoyed the time with Ruby to catch up. Wish she lived closer so could see her more.
Then on Sunday Phil's mom and I did the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, a 5K walk/jog through downtown Denver. There were over 80,000 people!!! It was a great experience and something I plan to do every year. If we invite just one more person to join our group each year, we'll be doing a small part to help find a cure.
After the walk, we meant my brother and his girlfriend, Beth for brunch. We were sporting our Race for the Cure t-shirts. I went to pay and was told it was already purchased. I went to say thank you and the lady who bought it was a 17 year survivor. It was great to talk with her and really put everything into prospective.
Friday we have a classic event in Loveland that we are taking Dirty Rice too. As always, I'm nervous, excited and jittery. All I ask is that he does what I know he can do and the cowboy stays on long enough for the judges to see what he's all about. After that it's in the hands of the judges. We have a lot of friends going and expect a pretty good time. I'll report back on how it goes, and hopefully will remember to take pictures.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Bull Video & Rattlesnake Kate
The above is a video of Dirty Rice's first trip out of the right. He's been kicking well, but hadn't found his spot out of the left hand delivery. Phil thought it was time to switch sides on him. Sure glad he did. When we named Dirty, I planned on naming 1 calf every year a Rice name...Wyld Rice, Red Beans & Rice...I have a whole list....but it kind of started and stopped with good ol' Dirty.
This is Dr. Seuss's first trip after breeding cows. Some bulls will come off a little lazy and take awhile to get back into bucking. Dr. Seuss didn't miss a beat. I truly believe he's a bull that enjoys bucking just as much as he enjoys breeding.
Both of these bulls are out of Rattlesnake Kate. She's one of the first cows I bought and came from Monty Branum as a 3-in-1. Dr. Seuss was the calf on her side and she was carrying Dirty (by Monty's bull Mamu, a very impressive bucking bull).
We named her Rattlesnake Kate for a lady that lived in our area in the 20's. She took her kids out on horseback and came across a den of rattlesnakes. The only thing she had to defend herself was a no trespassing sign she found on the property. She fended off about 100 snakes. Once the story circulated she was renamed by the town folk "Rattlesnake Kate". The newspaper story about her is displayed at our local coffee shop. Since our place was covered with rattlesnakes, we thought it would be fitting.
When we first moved in we started noticing that something was getting into our haystacks. We have a herd of deer across the road and figured it was them. Until I woke up early one morning and caught Kate. She'd sneak through the fence and either eat the grass off the ditch or get into the haystack. She knew the exact time that I would come out to feed and would sneak back in seconds before I'd step out of the house. Little does she know I am just a little sneakier then she and was able to figure her out. We soon decided we could no longer put off our project of putting the stays in. And that's how we ended her midnight snacks.
Phil started calling her Katherine, like a parent calling their kids by their full name....KATHERINE..... At first I thought, no, you can't call a cow the same name as my mother. But when I started thinking about it I came to accept it. I think my mother would be proud. Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that that our best momma cow carries her name..even if it's only when she's acting up or being goofy.
This is Dr. Seuss's first trip after breeding cows. Some bulls will come off a little lazy and take awhile to get back into bucking. Dr. Seuss didn't miss a beat. I truly believe he's a bull that enjoys bucking just as much as he enjoys breeding.
Both of these bulls are out of Rattlesnake Kate. She's one of the first cows I bought and came from Monty Branum as a 3-in-1. Dr. Seuss was the calf on her side and she was carrying Dirty (by Monty's bull Mamu, a very impressive bucking bull).
We named her Rattlesnake Kate for a lady that lived in our area in the 20's. She took her kids out on horseback and came across a den of rattlesnakes. The only thing she had to defend herself was a no trespassing sign she found on the property. She fended off about 100 snakes. Once the story circulated she was renamed by the town folk "Rattlesnake Kate". The newspaper story about her is displayed at our local coffee shop. Since our place was covered with rattlesnakes, we thought it would be fitting.
When we first moved in we started noticing that something was getting into our haystacks. We have a herd of deer across the road and figured it was them. Until I woke up early one morning and caught Kate. She'd sneak through the fence and either eat the grass off the ditch or get into the haystack. She knew the exact time that I would come out to feed and would sneak back in seconds before I'd step out of the house. Little does she know I am just a little sneakier then she and was able to figure her out. We soon decided we could no longer put off our project of putting the stays in. And that's how we ended her midnight snacks.
Phil started calling her Katherine, like a parent calling their kids by their full name....KATHERINE..... At first I thought, no, you can't call a cow the same name as my mother. But when I started thinking about it I came to accept it. I think my mother would be proud. Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that that our best momma cow carries her name..even if it's only when she's acting up or being goofy.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
32 Skunk
Bulls come in all shapes and sizes..and personalities. Some are mean. They are always willing to hunt you down and hook you to the ground. Some like to be left alone, they won't mess with you if you don't crowd them or give them reasons. Some are friendly and will go out of there way not to hurt you. I bring this up because Skunk is different, he's special (and not short bus special like Phil says). Skunk is not a nice bull, he will hunt you down. He enjoys intimidating the guys in the back pens. If he sees a bull rider or a bullfighter walk by his pen he will hook the fence and throw up some dust. He doesn't go unnoticed, that's for sure. He's good in the chute and will give his rider a fair shot, but once he has that rider on the ground all bets are off. You better hit the ground running, as Phil would say.
He broke one bullfighter's ankle, through another bullfighter over the fence.
That in itself isn't anything special, it's actually expected from bucking bulls. How he acts around Phil and I is what makes him special. At home, when he's in his pen I can walk up to him and scratch him on the head, the back, wherever. And not through the fence, but right next to him. I was once bet that I couldn't go lay next to him while he was sleeping. Took that bet and won, layed next to him and scratched his hump.
But that isn't even that special. Bulls know when they are home and when they are at work and will have different personalities at different places.
What makes Skunk special is how he treats us when he is bucking. Phil had him in the backpens and he was doing his normal deal, scaring the bullriders. Phil said "Skunk, come her and calm down." He put his head down, walked to Phil and let him scratch him between the horns.
The last time we bucked him was the time he through the bullfighter over the fence. Was looking around for someone to mess with and saw me standing by the fence. He put his head down, walked over to me very slowly and let me scratch him on the head and down the back. He even let me pull his flank off. Scratched him a little more and heard one of the bullriders say "He loves her!" Then he went back to chasing cowboys for a second and went through the outgate.
Skunk knows who loves him, cares for him, and will do everything in her power to make sure he's happy. Gotta love that Skunk!
This video is of the day he let me scratch him in the arena, ofcourse, I didn't get that part, but you'll see how well he bucks and how much of an attitude he has.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
And the winner is.....
At least we weren't the only one that had no clue.
Of course it wasn't Houdini. She never would have came back in heat if the AI would have taken.
Could have been any of the others.
The first time I sent in the ABBI papers I just put Dr. Seuss as the sire...timing was right, he looked just like Suess...figured it had to be him. It came back saying that it was not Dr. Suess. Filled out the possible sire list and almost didn't even put the correct one down, I had my eye on him the whole time....
The sire was..Snake Farm...
All I can geuss is that he was through the fence, bred her, and back through the fence before I noticed anything.
Regarding the swish of 873's tail. I'm not 100% sure what happened. He was born in the afternoon about 2, it was in the 40's and too warm for it to freeze. I happened to be looking at the window when she calved and saw the whole thing in my binoculars...so I know no coyotes were around...I'm thinking Styj is right, it was stepped on and broke off. It's the only possible reason that makes sense to me.
Congrats Styx on 50% and our winner by default
Thanks everyone for playing!
Of course it wasn't Houdini. She never would have came back in heat if the AI would have taken.
Could have been any of the others.
The first time I sent in the ABBI papers I just put Dr. Seuss as the sire...timing was right, he looked just like Suess...figured it had to be him. It came back saying that it was not Dr. Suess. Filled out the possible sire list and almost didn't even put the correct one down, I had my eye on him the whole time....
The sire was..Snake Farm...
All I can geuss is that he was through the fence, bred her, and back through the fence before I noticed anything.
Regarding the swish of 873's tail. I'm not 100% sure what happened. He was born in the afternoon about 2, it was in the 40's and too warm for it to freeze. I happened to be looking at the window when she calved and saw the whole thing in my binoculars...so I know no coyotes were around...I'm thinking Styj is right, it was stepped on and broke off. It's the only possible reason that makes sense to me.
Congrats Styx on 50% and our winner by default
Thanks everyone for playing!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Who's My Baby's Daddy?
873 "calf in question"
73, had a few options for who actually sired her calf this year.
I'll give you as much information as I have and I want you to make an educated geuss on who's this baby's daddy is.
Ofcourse, it's a guess and there's no way to know without a DNA test...good thing I had a DNA test done and know the answer. Just want to see if anyone can guess this right.
Dam - 73
Possible Sires
Houdini
Dr. Seuss
Snake Farm, Catfish, Rudy, Wasabi.
Catfish was 14 years old. Snake Farm, Rudy and Wasabi (both Catfish calves) were yearlings. Rudy is NOT a possible sire (he was behaved and stayed on his side of the fence).
The story:
On June 26th we had 73 Ai'd to Houdini.
On June 2nd we put 73 (and the rest of the AI cows) out with Dr. Seuss who was already on pasture as our clean up bull. Took him off on Septempet 17th.
On July 13th we looked out the window and noticed that Catfish and Wasabi broke through the fence and was in the cow pasture. They were sniffing and riding 73. Dr. Seuss was in the pasture but about 10 acres away from 73 (possibly already bred her, possibly not..)
Ran outside to get this mess cleaned up. The fence was broke down between the 2 pastures. I saw Catfish and Wasabi both in with 73 and both breed her.
Then Catfish and Wasabi starting fighting and Snake Farm went through the fence to 73, he sniffed her but didn't once breed her that I saw.
873 was born the afternoon of April, 26 2008.
Who do you think it is?
BONUS QUESTION: What happened to the swish of 873's tail?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
3 weddings, 1 week!!!
Wow, I'm just a little tired.
Sunday, June 1st, 2008
Bucked bulls from 12-4, immediately drove to SylvanDale (about 10 miles west of Loveland, CO) for a rehearsal dinner. My friend Kimberly was getting married the next day. She paid for me to have a 2 night stay in a little cabin on the place. so, it wasn't hard to convince me to stay up drinking, giggling and having a fun time with her, the other bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen.
Monday June 2nd
Couldn't sleep. The cabin is cute and I love all the western and rustic decor...but the bed is not comfortable and I miss sleeping next to Phil. Woke up at 6...took a bath and read my new Picoult book. Had breakfast about 7:30..spent the rest of the day helping with decorations for the wedding.
Wedding that night at 7:00, Phil came about 5:00. The wedding was beautiful. She had it in front of a little pond. It was very serene and she looked beautiful. Great reception afterwards, prime rib that was very yummy. About 11...I lost the fight with the sleepies and went to bed. It was nice to have Phil there and even nicer that he was able to spend the night with me...but still couldn't sleep very well.
Tuesday, June 3rd
Woke up early, ate breakfast, said goodbye and went home where I had to catch up on all my lost work...pretty grumpy and overwhelmed all day.
Friday, June 6th
Woke up early to get as much work done as possible. Left the house at 10 a.m. to go back to Sylvan Dale for another wedding. This time I was the maid of honor, bride is my good friend Brenda. We spent the day taking things to the location and decorating. Rehearsal dinner that night...and once again I spent the night. This time in the bunkhouse with 9 other girls....7 under the age of 16!!!!!!!
She had a morning wedding...and wanted us all to get our hair professionally done...so that meant I had to be up at 4 to get in the shower and be ready at 4:30 when the hair girls arrived.
Wedding was again gorgeous..and in front of the same pond. Brenda made all the flowers and decorations herself, she did a great job and everything really came together nicely. Had the reception immediately after, BBQ pork. My brother Sean was invited to the wedding. Since he was in town we decided to go to dinner and bowling afterwards. I started bowling left hand and I'm pretty good...my first left handed game I scored 92...right handed I'm about a 120..so not bad..think I'm going to keep challenging myself to bowl left until it becomes natural. I got home and in bed at 11:30.
Sunday June 8th.
Another wedding. Phil was very nice and fed for me so I could sleep in a bit. The wedding is for his niece, Bethany. Again a very beautiful wedding, this time not at Sylvan dale but a church in Westminster with a reception in Golden. Had a little time between the ceremony and the dry reception, so Phil, his Aunt and Uncle and I stopped off for a quick drink. Had a great time chatting with them. Phil's uncle use to work at the Mayflower Hotel in Denver...way back when..during stock show he got to know the likes of Casey Tibbs, Larry Mahan...some very impressive rodeo guys and has some great stories about fighting, boozing and healing!!!
Got home about 9 and crashed...could barely get up for work the next morning.
But we are done with weddings this year, whew...don't think I can handle another.
And it was all worth it because, while I was all dressed up for Brenda's wedding I took the opportunity to put on my muck boots and take some pictures with a couple of my favorite guys....I think I love these pictures ;-)
Sunday, June 1st, 2008
Bucked bulls from 12-4, immediately drove to SylvanDale (about 10 miles west of Loveland, CO) for a rehearsal dinner. My friend Kimberly was getting married the next day. She paid for me to have a 2 night stay in a little cabin on the place. so, it wasn't hard to convince me to stay up drinking, giggling and having a fun time with her, the other bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen.
Monday June 2nd
Couldn't sleep. The cabin is cute and I love all the western and rustic decor...but the bed is not comfortable and I miss sleeping next to Phil. Woke up at 6...took a bath and read my new Picoult book. Had breakfast about 7:30..spent the rest of the day helping with decorations for the wedding.
Wedding that night at 7:00, Phil came about 5:00. The wedding was beautiful. She had it in front of a little pond. It was very serene and she looked beautiful. Great reception afterwards, prime rib that was very yummy. About 11...I lost the fight with the sleepies and went to bed. It was nice to have Phil there and even nicer that he was able to spend the night with me...but still couldn't sleep very well.
Tuesday, June 3rd
Woke up early, ate breakfast, said goodbye and went home where I had to catch up on all my lost work...pretty grumpy and overwhelmed all day.
Friday, June 6th
Woke up early to get as much work done as possible. Left the house at 10 a.m. to go back to Sylvan Dale for another wedding. This time I was the maid of honor, bride is my good friend Brenda. We spent the day taking things to the location and decorating. Rehearsal dinner that night...and once again I spent the night. This time in the bunkhouse with 9 other girls....7 under the age of 16!!!!!!!
She had a morning wedding...and wanted us all to get our hair professionally done...so that meant I had to be up at 4 to get in the shower and be ready at 4:30 when the hair girls arrived.
Wedding was again gorgeous..and in front of the same pond. Brenda made all the flowers and decorations herself, she did a great job and everything really came together nicely. Had the reception immediately after, BBQ pork. My brother Sean was invited to the wedding. Since he was in town we decided to go to dinner and bowling afterwards. I started bowling left hand and I'm pretty good...my first left handed game I scored 92...right handed I'm about a 120..so not bad..think I'm going to keep challenging myself to bowl left until it becomes natural. I got home and in bed at 11:30.
Sunday June 8th.
Another wedding. Phil was very nice and fed for me so I could sleep in a bit. The wedding is for his niece, Bethany. Again a very beautiful wedding, this time not at Sylvan dale but a church in Westminster with a reception in Golden. Had a little time between the ceremony and the dry reception, so Phil, his Aunt and Uncle and I stopped off for a quick drink. Had a great time chatting with them. Phil's uncle use to work at the Mayflower Hotel in Denver...way back when..during stock show he got to know the likes of Casey Tibbs, Larry Mahan...some very impressive rodeo guys and has some great stories about fighting, boozing and healing!!!
Got home about 9 and crashed...could barely get up for work the next morning.
But we are done with weddings this year, whew...don't think I can handle another.
And it was all worth it because, while I was all dressed up for Brenda's wedding I took the opportunity to put on my muck boots and take some pictures with a couple of my favorite guys....I think I love these pictures ;-)
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