Happy Friday

I don't usually post on fridays because I don't usually have internet access on Fridays.  But today I decided to come into the office and work.  I also had a cattlewomen's meeting. 

The Cattlewomen started out as a social organization and an auxillary arm to the Cattlemen but have blossomed into their own agenda.  It is a wonderful organization whose main objective is to educate the public about beef- from raising beef to eating beef. 

It is interesting.  My husband supports my meeting habits but doesn't necessarily want to be a part of any of the organizations.  He says he isn't sure they help the industry.  I think they do and I think it takes active members not just memberships to get any results.  I think memberships in these types of organizations at both local, state, and national levels are helpful to promoting our product.

The life of a weekend cowboy-girl

This has been a rough week.  I have spent more time riding my computer chair and in my pickup than I have on a horse.  Not a good start, especially when the weather has been ABSOLUTELY gorgeous.  Not just for January either.  It would be considered gorgeous for most months- high 40s to mid 50s and little wind.  It is a little  hard to believe the little wind part but it has been happening.

Plus, I have had this awful cold that has been kicking my @$$!  Not to mentioned the poor kids have gotten it to.  But life isn't too rough.

I did get some interesting training today.  I wished I had the foresight to bring a camera so I could do a photoblog about it but it wouldn't be very appetizing because...  Oh Yeah, we did a necropsy on a chronically sick calf. 

I won't gross you out with the details but lets just say- there was only about a third of a lung functioning in the entire creature.  It was pitiful.  Oh well, the refresher course on internal organs, anatomy, and physiology was great.

A New Year

Tired of all the its a new year posts... Well guess what it is and it is official- I screwed up the date on my first (and probably not my last) check today.  Ugh!  Not really sure what all the hype is about.  :)  Or maybe I am just grumpy because I didn't get done what I wanted to in 2011 so I will have to roll over the to-do list to 2012. 

I did have a wonderful time off... As you could probably guess by the silence on here.  Hey, a girl has to do some holiday things.  Anyways, I loved it.  We have a parade in our small town.  It is awesome.  We were talking about the parade and my lil Tay pipes up "Mama, I ride my pink horse at the party!"  There was no question about it.  She didn't ask- it was just assumed she was going to ride her horse in the parade.  Unfortunately for her, it didn't work out.  The hubby had to drive the fire truck, Tay was sick, and I couldn't juggle it all- her, the horse, and lil T.  So, we improvised.  I hope someone that was there got a picture because I am about the worst mother ever when it comes to this sort of stuff.

Anyways... We got out the wagon and I pulled them in the parade.  They had fun until the guy whose was part of the Beauty and the Beast duo came over.  Then, it was get me out of here- I no like it.

Hope you had some special memories.

Another day, another agency, another meeting

Once in awhile I meet these outstanding people who actually want to do good.  Today, I was blessed by being in a meeting with two of these people and DRUMROLL PLEASE- they were from Fish and Wildlife!  Outstanding biologists who understand that we (agencies and agriculture) to continue to do good things.

Some of the snippets of the conversation included-
"I have to get my manager to understand we can't mess with this guy's livlihood. "
"We aren't in the business of raising cows but if we can move towards our own habitat goals while incorporating cows, I am game!"
"There are two ways we are going to get this refuge's habitat changed cows and fire.  We see what happened after fire had its go. AND we know what it was before when we grazed cows.  I think it is time to go back to the cows.  It was better habitat."

It was such a breath of fresh air.  To actually have people want to work with you in achieving a common goal.

Took a chance

I tend to be a cynic.  I am not sure where it came from but maybe working in a government job with government agencies with people that are cynics.  But, I did take a chance... I was at the grocery store in our little rural town which used to thrive on logging and agriculture.  Thanks to the environmental spotted owl bleeding hearts... We now limp along with agriculture.

Anyways, back to my story.  I have decided, I no longer want those awful plastic bags.  They are made out of petroleum.  Oil prices are high enough without taking more petrol out of the production of gas and putting it into making bags, I know that is a simplified version of the process but HEY it works in my little mind.  So, when asked paper or plastic- I said "Paper!"  The young man checking, was taken aback by my enthusiasm for paper.  He is one of those metrosexual, just stepped out of Abercrombie and Fitch, it is trendy to be environmentally savvy types.  He said- Why?

I calmly told him, I want people to cut down more trees so, I choose paper.  I do not want to see our natural resources wasted on rotting.  He was quiet.  Then, "It makes sense, I guess"  I then went into my monologue... About petrol, logging, etc.

I hope he understood a little bit of it.  Or maybe even went and tried to read up on logging or something.  I figure every little bit helps.  Maybe he will figure out rotting forests produce WAY more greenhouse gasses than managed forest?  I don't know but I tried!

5 Non-profits to leave out of your holiday donations | Celeste Harned

5 Non-profits to leave out of your holiday donations Celeste Harned

This is a great blog on some bad characters who are saying they are doing things but not actually doing them. I have posted it before but will do it again! Give locally if you really want to accomplish something. The overhead and bueracracy will eat up your donantion if you don't.

Thankful

It is the season for being thankful, so here is a list of things I am thankful for this year!


I am thankful for cattle- in the field, at the end of a rope, or on the grill- you are making life better for someone.

I am thankful for choices- traditionally raised, organic, natural, cage-free, free-range, grass-finished and many more. Well, that is partially true, in California, aren’t we only allowed cage-free eggs? I guess I can still choose whether or not I want organic or natural eggs.

I am thankful for the new Ag Appropriations bill does not contain any language regulatory or otherwise banning the harvesting of horses, putting the issue back to pre-2007.

I am thankful that my children may have a chance to continue working in agriculture unless the Federal Department of Labor gets its way. Then, they will have to be almost adults before they could legal assist in the operations of a farm or ranch. By the way, have you sent your comments in? Comment period ends December 1st.

I am thankful that people are becoming informed about HSUS. The Humane Society of the United States is not your local humane society. It is a lobbying, animal rights organization, which spends less than 1% of its donations on the actual care of animals, even though the commercials may lead you to think something different.

I am thankful for advocates and agricultural activists like Trent Loos. Trent has an inspiring message for many people. One of my favorite quotes from Trent is~ The 2 most important people to our country are the farmer and the soldier...and the general public knows the least about them.

I am thankful that wolves aren’t officially in our county, yet. Though, a wolf has been tracked through Lake and Klamath counties, so that may not be on the list for long.

I am thankful for youth organizations like 4-H and FFA which allow young people an opportunities in leadership and citizenship along with animal agriculture.

I am thankful that the Surprise Valley BLM had a successful feral horse gather and I am hopeful for a solution to the problem.

I am thankful for having a safe, wholesome, cheap food supply and for those who work without holidays, without overtime pay, and in adverse conditions to provide it.

I am thankful for being able to write this column for the last two years!

Here is to another year of being educated, informed and involved.