The past couple days have proven to be long. "Tis the season" one might say. We are having about 5-7 calves per day and that is keeping us busy. Not as busy as previous years here on the ranch when they were calving out 300, but busy. Calving season is a blessing and a curse (maybe). There is the presence of regeneration, resilience, and hope. Regeneration in each newborn who slips out of a mother's womb. The herd will continue and provide for the ranch and land. Resilience comes in the form of continuation and nutrient recycling. The herd has new life to replenish the old and the soil will benefit from the plant matter that is eaten and digested by their great guts. Hope is something that is felt every spring and keeps us going. With new life comes hope for the future. Maybe this year will turn out better than the last or there is hope that it will be similar and fruitful.
Now, like today, there is nothing wrong with being in the field all day and driving calves and mommas to the chorals, etc. This is one of the reasons I love this business. I spend every day outside no matter what type of weather is rearing its head. Calving season is why people are in the cow-calf business. There is a sense of wholeness. A circular rhythm to your work. There are the busy times and the quite ones. It is not typically about the money (if you make any), but the lifestyle. Ones interconnectedness with life, death, birth, and all the in-between.
Taking your boots off after 14 hours of life. That is what it seems to be...
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