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Monthly Archives: December 2015

Christmas with Marie

Marie, Pat and Sharon

Marie, Pat and Sharon          Christmas 2015, Hobe Sound, Florida

Pat’s Mom, Marie O’Toole, will turn 100 years old in May 2016. She still lives in her own home in Florida. Pat and I spent Christmas with her, conveniently missing some minus 20 degree temperatures at home. We are trying to talk her into moving West, but for some reason, she thinks Wyoming is too cold!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Posted by on December 27, 2015 in Family

 

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In direct contrast to John Dofflemyer’s post on Dry Crik Journal…

cowswaiting for breakfast

 

 

 

 

 

 

waiting for breakfast

 
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Posted by on December 20, 2015 in Animals, Cattle, Sheep

 

Adios, Dunkin

Pepe and Sharon with Dunkin

Pepe and Sharon with Dunkin

I am sad to report that Dunkin, a sheep of much renown and many adventures, has gone to that great pasture in the sky. He led a long and interesting life, especially for a cross-bred, parrot-mouthed wether. Here he is with his patron, Pepe, who found him as a newborn lamb at the side of his dead mother. He was a friend to dogs, sheep and people, and will be missed for his skills as a bellwether.

 

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Winter Work

cows with hay feeder

Cows following the hay feeder

We now swing toward the winter solstice.  Days grow shorter and nights grow longer. The time for caring for livestock is well and truly upon us. The cows need sustenance to nurture the calves growing within them. For the ewes and rams, it’s the breeding season, and good nutrition is essential. All of us–man and beast, domestic and wild–are hunkered down and hoping for a “just right” winter. We need snow, but not too much. We need wind, but not too much. We need sun and grass and corn. We will rejoice when the world turns and the days grow longer.

The cows grazing at the Powder Flat headquarters

The cows grazing at the Powder Flat headquarters

McCoy chopping ice for the cows

McCoy chopping ice for the cows

 

Mcoy striking a blow while Marley and Belle watch

McCoy striking a blow while Marley and Belle watch

winter cows

winter cows

ewes near Ace in the Hole

ewes near Ace in the Hole

Romance is in the air

Romance is in the air

 
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Posted by on December 15, 2015 in Animals, Cattle, Dogs, Family, Folks, Sheep

 

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Yearling ewes

Yearling ewes near Powder Wash

Yearling ewes near Powder Wash

 
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Posted by on December 10, 2015 in Animals, Sheep

 

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What happens if you don’t pay your bill at El Rio

Rhen and Gael washing dishes--McCoy supervising, at El Rio Restaurante  in Baggs

Rhen and Gael washing dishes–McCoy supervising at El Rio Restaurante in Baggs, Wyoming

 
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Posted by on December 8, 2015 in Events, Family, Folks, Friends

 

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Bucks–all dressed up and someplace to go

bucks in their working clothes

bucks in their working clothes

Jumping out of the trailer

Jumping out of the trailer

 

The bucks have been waiting all year,  or at least since February, to hang out with the girls again. They spend most of the year hanging out with each other, and plotting to escape from the buck pastures. At long last, breeding season has arrived and they can find romance. We sprinkle their wool with red powder to make it easier for the herders to count and identify them, load them into the trailer and take them to the pasture where the ewes are awaiting them. For the ewes, it means a very brief moment of passion, five months (less five days) of pregnancy, and four or five months of raising lambs. They probably find their lives to be a lot more interesting!

on the run

on the run

Filo gets ready to move the bucks

Filo gets ready to move the bucks

 
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Posted by on December 4, 2015 in Animals, Peruvian sheepherders, Sheep

 

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