Finding Beauty

Friday afternoon, we took off on a nature walk in search of Beauty.

We see the new Bernice, just born Dec. 29th, #3 in front and Dusty the bull (I'll do an update on Dusty soon).  Anyway behind them in the woods was Beauty I just didn't know it yet.

After a short break to get some water and a couple of oversize hoodies we head out a different direction to find Beauty.

We get to the big pond and there is still ice on it.  So cool for the kids.

Nothing like throwing sticks on an icy pond and watching them skid across it.

Finally on the other side of the big pond is Beauty:

She has a white mask on.  A white face is called a baldface.  Can you see the pretty girl?

Wait, are you a girl or a boy?

Mmmm . . .

You're just a big girl.  We love big girls!

Welcome to the world big girl.  My daughter named her "Beauty" to go with Bernice.

Beauty was born Friday afternoon the 13th.  She was born as big as Bernice who was already 2 weeks old. 

My daughter is so excited that Beauty and Bernice will be great friends.  They are already aunt and niece.

Have a great Spring-like day in the middle of January.  Got to love Oklahoma weather.

Love,

Territory Mom

Friday the 13th On The Farm In Oklahoma

I told you about Big Mama Red being overdue, here.

This photo was taken two days ago and still no baby.  We checked on her yesterday and still no baby which was good since it was freezing. 

Since today is Friday the 13th, oooooohh and it is bitter cold again I expect to see a new baby this morning.  I'll keep you advised.

I'm not into superstitions, however I do live by the Farmers' Almanac and according to it we have two more Friday the 13ths this year.

Hope you enjoy your day.

Love,

Territory Mom 

The Baby New Year Is Named Bernice!

Last night one of our heifers, Grassy was looking for a place to lay down.  She was ready to deliver her first calf.  We had been watching her carefully.  Before I realized it she had wondered off into the woods.  I went to look for her and couldn't find her then my husband went to look for her.  He found her in the big woods.  She was laying down, but she was fine.

This morning before my husband left for work he drove up the rode and found her again in the woods.  He called me from the road to let me that he found Grassy.  She was laying down, but no calf.  The other cows and bulls were in the woods with her.  They were surrounding her with love and support.  Grassy's mother, Big Mama Red was the closest to her.  Isn't that sweet.  The first baby makes the entire family a little nervous.

About 10:00 am this morning I see all of the animals down by the house basking in the sun, except for Big Mama Red.  So, I get the kids bundled up to go look for Grassy.  By the time we got out of the house Big Mama Red is also down enjoying the morning sun and we are unbundling because it is 65 DEGREES!

We start walking into the woods all the while Redbird is explaining to us not to make human sounds only nature sounds.  Which means it is okay for the leaves to make crumbling sounds as we walk.  Rooster is whispering so loud that he might as well have using a bull horn.  It seems like forever until we find Grassy.

I can't get too close to her because she is a little unsettled.  I can tell she has had a calf and appears to be fine.  By that I mean she is up walking around and about to charge.  I can't see a calf anywhere.  So we start walking out of the woods.  I'm a little concerned, but know there is one somewhere.  Then I glance over to the left of Grassy.  Do you see her?

Here is a closer look:

Do you see her now?

She is all ears!  I was looking for a black or brown calf and found this beautiful strawberry blonde hiding in the leaves.  I'm guessing she is a girl because she is so little which is great for a first baby.  Immediately, Redbird says she is naming her Bernice.

Here is a little better photo from a different angle:

I wish they were better photos but I had a new mama watching me so I couldn't get too close.  One day I'm going to get a big telephoto lens.  My animals will really be happy with me then.

However I can as close as I want to No. 3:

She is a little vain and loves having her picture taken.

Anyway, welcome to the world Bernice.  Redbird says that is a beautiful day for a beautiful girl to be born so she can see how beautiful it is here.  Love that girl and Redbird.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Windshield Oklahoma - Beaver Kits

This is one of three beaver kits that live in our middle pond.  This photo was taken last week at around 8:00 pm.  My kids were a little unsettled so I took them on an evening nature walk.  Early morning and late evening is the best time to see the beaver kits.

I think they were born in the spring.  They are so curious that they tease the dogs.  It is a game of cat and mouse or kit and dog.

Redbird is cheering the dogs on knowing they will never catch a beaver kit.

In this shot you can see how far apart the kits and dogs are.  There is one little kit in the top right.  You can barely make out it's little head.  Those yellow flowery weeds are a nuisance.  They call them bitterroot around here but I don't think that is the correct name.  Any ideas?

What a pretty picture.

It's getting late we better get home little brother.

Watch what they do and be wise.

Proverbs 6:6 (NCV)

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

The A/C Went Out and The Cows Came Home

A Run Capacitor that will surely go out in this Oklahoma heat.

My sweet hubby works outside in this crazy heatwave so when he comes home he takes a shower, eats and falls asleep well after he checks on the livestock and hangs out with the kids.  So Monday evening about 9:15pm he wakes up in a fiery.   I'm asleep in my kids' room because they have been up since 4:30 am so I as in there trying to get them to sleep early.

Anyway, I hear him rushing around and I hear the breaker box open, then he heads outside.  By now my son and I are up and outside too, then back inside, then outside.  It was crazy wild!! 

When there is no a/c tempers will start to rise and I could tell by the way hubby was acting that he thought this was my fault.  I have been turning up the a/c and sometimes turning it off to save money.

However, when you have a special needs child like mine you can not let you temper rise because it makes my child lose it.  You can understand.  So I'm praying, Lord, Lord, please help this situation.  After going in and out for awhile and my hubby realizes that the a/c just broke and not because of anything anyone did he sat down and relaxed at least until our neighbor called and the cows were out.

As hubby was getting dressed the sheriff's office called about the cows.  By now it is about 10:00 pm and my son gets to go on an adventure.  Luckily baby girl never woke up.

After traveling up and down the highway with no sign of the cows they go up in the pasture to look.  Then the neighbor's wife calls and our neighbor is on the highway getting the cows.  I see our neighbor driving slow on the highway coming towards our road.  I can hear him hollaring and honking his horn.  About that time hubby and son drive in from the pasture I point them towards the front gate. 

I wish you couldn't have seen this cattle drive.  Picture cowboys on horseback trying to wrangle a huge herd of cattle through the prairie, dust kicking up, cows bellowing and ropes swinging.  It was like something out of the old west, except it wasn't.  It was a old Chevy driving 5 cows, 1 baby bull and 1 big bull down the road and old Dodge blocking the end of the road until the cows were safely in front yard.

Bob the bull and Jinter, not Ginger, but sometimes Jennifer

Everyone is home safe and sound.  We were outside relaxing because the a/c is broken when the sheriff's office calls again.  I assure them that the cows are in and secure. So, if anyone ask those are not my cows on the highway!

The next morning I call the a/c repairman about 7:00 am. and ask to be put on the list.  I hear he is in the area so maybe he will get to us soon.  About 11:30 am the kids start cheering because they see the a/c repairman truck coming down our driveway.  I love the a/c repairman.  We were only the second job because he had just been an the Indian church down the road.   In less than 30 minutes the a/c was fixed and we were getting back to normal whatever that is.  I love a repairman that keeps plenty of parts in his truck.   This time it was the run capacitator.  If your a/c is running on the inside but it is hot this maybe the problem.  The run cap can expand and break in extreme heat.  There is no way to prevent it when it is over 100, 105 or 110 degrees for days on end.

I hope you are staying cool and your cows are staying home.

Drink lots of water and check on your neighbors.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

My Mother's Day Weekend

Hope ya'll had a great Mother's Day or in my house it is called "mudder's day."  My husband got off work early on Friday which gave me a chance to get some errands done, alone.  First I went to pay the water bill and when I walked in the clerk raised her hands up and said, "where are your kids?, I have never seen you without your kids."  I explained the situation and realized this would be the same reaction at the grocery store and it was.

On my way home it hit me that for some reason my kids will really need me and this will be the last time I'm alone for a very long time, which is fine with me, it's what I signed up for.
Anyway, Friday evening started with my beloved warrior pony going to the trainer:

Lucky was not happy about this and it broke my heart to send him away.  Just as he got up in the trailer, (which was not easy) he gave me a look I will never forget.  That big brown eye asking, "why must I go?"

It is for his own good and he will come back to us with some manners and confidence beyond belief.

We were all sad and went on a nature walk.  It makes us all feel good.

Watching dogs swim always makes you feel good.

Daddy had to work Saturday which is hard on my kids because, well just because.

In the distance are some black spots.  One of them is Rachel, a black cow getting ready for her first Mother's Day.  We have been watching her carefully.  Oh, check out my dog, White, getting ready to jump.  He can jump over anything.

Anyway, Rachel had a beautiful brown calf, but when we checked on her she was down.  Sunday morning my husband and our neighbor, Earl, took care of her.  She was moved to our neighbor's round pen with her calf.  She was prolapsed so she had to have a little surgery.  I won't go into what prolapse is but if you have cattle or have been around cattle then you already know.  It is bad, I tell you, BAD!!! 

Everything seemed fine except that my little girl was very upset that she was not included in the surgery.  She cried because she is the one who is going to be a vet.  She's only 6!!

By the evening Rachel had prolapsed again.  So my husband was going to do surgery again.  This time the entire family goes because the future vet was not going to miss anything. 

So we drive to where Rachel is and the kids and I stay in the truck while daddy and Earl get Rachel in a squeeze shoot.  My girl is crying because she can't see anything.  I get her in my lap while my son gets in the driver's seat.  After Rachel is settled daddy comes over and tells the kids they can get out if they are quite and stay where Rachel can't see them.

We get out and Earl is at the back of his truck with the tailgate down.  There is a big tool box with all of his supplies.  Earl yells, "who wants long gloves, I've got gloves for everyone".  Of course my kids want gloves, but I make them get to our safe spot.

I'm trying to keep this short.

The process of fixing a cow is difficult, gruesome and time consuming.  Rooster was getting bored and wanting to explore.  Redbird just checked out the new calf.   Once the new calf is looked over thoroughly Redbird gets back in her place to witness the surgery.  After I'm trying to keep Rooster from getting in a world of trouble Redbird finds me and lets me know that I'm making her miss the best parts.  She wanted to watch, but with her mama close by.

Soon, Earl was hollering at me to get some kind of staple thing from his truck.  I told Earl I couldn't believe how relaxed he was and he told me that it is the only way to keep the cow calm.  Well as calm as she can be.  After Earl sewed Rachel up I had to cut the string.  OMG! 

The guys clean up a little with our make shift sink which is me pouring water over their hands.  Even though they wore gloves you still want to wash your hands immediately.

I didn't take any photos. I think you know why.  I will get a photo of the calf soon and keep you updated about Lucky and Rachel.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S.  Please remember This Oklahoma Family in your prayers.

Skywatch Friday - Which Way Does The Wind Blow?

In Oklahoma you can always tell which way the winds blows by which direction our trees are leaning.

For more great photos check out Skywatch Fridays.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Windshield Oklahoma - New Neighbors

This is the back pasture.  You can barely see two figures at the top of the hill.

There they are!

Here comes the Welcome Wagon.  Hope they brought a basket of oats.

Our new neighbors, a mare and her filly.

No oats, I'm outta here.

Wait for me, mommy.

You girls are so pretty we are glad you are our new neighbors.  Oh, and so are these guys:

Shh, I hear (smell) something or someone.

It's girls!!!

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Happy Birthday Lucky!!!

Lucky, my warrior pony

He was born 4 years ago on St. Patrick's Day.  I remember it was a very cool Satuday evening.  I looked out the kitchen window and saw his mother, Reba acting strange.  My heart jumped to my throat and I couldn't get the words out.  I just grabbed boots and jackets for my kids and we ran outside.

We could see something happening from a distance.  I held my daughter up so she could see over the fence.  I knew immediately that it was a paint.  I was so excited and then we waited until this little miracle got to his feet.

Then came the tears of joy.  We were laughing and crying at the same time.  It was the best St. Patrick's Day ever.

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

Lucky and his brothers.

Happy birthday Lucky!

Love,

Territory Mom

Windshield Oklahoma - It's All About The Bull

He can jump that gate so stay in the truck.   He belongs to our neighbor and we came over to collect our little girls, Rachel and Grace.  We were able to get the girls after several days of feeding him.  He belongs in PBR if you can catch him.

The 2nd round of the PBR in OKC (see my previous post) is live on Versus tonight and Sunday at 7:00 pm.

For 1st rounds check out this article from PBRnow.com and for other information check out OKC Notes-PBR, this also gives an update on Jody Newberry the bull rider from Ada, OK.

Having an event in Oklahoma brings the Oklahoma bulls. D&H Cattle Co. is well represented.  The Page family of Ardmore, Dickson, OK have been the PBR's stock contractors of the year 6 times.

Have a great day and stay out of the bull's way.

Love,

Territory Mom

P.S.  I just read this article about D& H Cattle Co. on Newsok.com.  The Page family gave us Mossy Oak Mudslinger, good times.

Also, once I figure out the linky tools this will be a weekly post "Windshield Oklahoma".  I would love to see what is going on in your neck of the woods.  If you want to join please leave your link in the comments.  Thanks so much!

We've Gone To The Dogs

When its 5, 10 or 15 degrees at night what are you going to do?  Let the poor dogs in.

The little black one is Skipper and he sleeps by the wood stove, he is the smartest one of the bunch.  He always growls when he sees the camera and really growls when you snap the picture, so funny.  The white one is White and he is the most gentle and shy one, except when strangers pull in the driveway then watch out.  That redbone coonhound is Sissy.  She is the alpha dog.  She is in daddy's recliner so I don't really care and I'm not going to try and get her out.  I just make sure there is a towel on the chair.

I hear we are in for some warmer temperatures but I have a feeling these dogs will still be sleeping inside.

Have a great day and stay warm.

Love,

Territory Mom

Coyotes, Bobcats and Mountain Lions, Oh My!!

From Oklahoma Wildlife Control

Years ago when I heard coyotes I never worried about them because my step-dad told us that while it sounded like they were close they were really a mile or so away.  Then I marry Jeremiah Johnson and move to a little cabin in the woods.  One day I'm walking on our drive and I hear coyotes so when I get back to the house I say to my husband, "boy, those coyotes sounded like they were on the other side of the road".  He replys, "they are on the other side of the road".  There goes my exercise routine.

Last night the dogs were going crazy, so I'm thinking oh, its just coyotes.  I'm hoping so because we have had a mountain lion spotted in our area, well actually about 10 miles away but that is close enough for me.

From Total Wildlife Control -The Skunk Whisperer

You know a mountain lion is also a cougar!!!  Anyway it was spotted 10 miles to the west of us about 4 months ago and one was spotted 10 miles to the southeast of us just a month ago.  Don't worry, we have 3 dogs who are fierce when it comes to wild animals and big babies when they are around the kids.   I watch and listen to the dogs for warning signs.  Last week two of them were acting very strange.  They were creeping along the back fence, ears up, but not barking.  I don't like that.  They were very cautious so we stayed in the house until daddy got home.

Also, this is my back fence:

I have heard bobcats rustling in the leaves, but never seen one.  They are fast when they snatch my chickens.  We have a chicken coop now, but we still have some wild roosters that refused to be caught.

Before I go, several years ago a black cougar was spotted in our county.  When someone tells us about seeing strange things, like something moving very fast in the woods that looks like a big cat I pay attention. You never know what is lurking in the woods.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom

Getting Back To Normal, Whatever That Is

It's been crazy around here. 

Sorry, I haven't been blogging but LIFE comes before blogging.

  Hopefully we will be back to normal next week. 

 Have a wonderful holiday weekend.

Stay safe.

Love,

Territory Mom

She's Too Pretty For A Name

New baby calf (black dot next to red mama) born 5/2/2010.  Big sister Grassy to the right.

My little girl names all the animals around here, but she said that this girl was just too pretty for a name.  Then a couple of days later when we got a better look, "she" is a "he".  So he is now "Bluegrass".  For some of our summer plans and Bluegrass's new friends go here.

The photo below is Bluegrass and his mama taken on Saturday.  I'm glad there was a big gate between us.

Have a great day.

Love,

Territory Mom