Twist, Turn, and Return

Where to start…I’ve been here before. 

I find it very hard to write about things that happened days ago.  The ranch continues to stay busy and its pulse is catching up with nature.  More rain has fallen and many more prayers go out that this spring continues to wick moisture from the sky. 

I spent my weekend away from the ranch.  I flew back for my commencement ceremony.  I was looking forward to wondering around my ol’ campus and seeing many friends.  It was a whirlwind event.  I found myself jumping through some travel loops during the early hours of the morning.  Arrived on campus and spent the day running off of two hours of sleep.  During all of this, I landed two somersaults, did three back flips, and I dragged water tanks around in the back of the old Exploder with my cattle buds.  The grand finale to my first day back on campus was eating dinner with my summer crew friends, shooting (bb gun) cans off the fence post, and being picked up by my best friends to only fall asleep on the couch before too much fun could begin!

Saturday came and went with a blink of the eye.  I started off by attending the natural science department’s morning brunch.  Watched several friends receive awards, caught up with several professors, and spent much of the time talking about the ranch. We all robed and got in alphabetical order.  The bagpipes sounded and the ceremony began.  The Sunderland lawn was all fixed up and filled with friends and families.  The sky was cloudy, but the rain held off.  One of the best commencement ceremonies went on and ended with a diploma in hand and a tree in the other.  It was well worth the effort to travel 1700 miles across this country to attend a two-hour event.  I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful school and community as a part of my life.  

I was also lucky enough to have most of my family show up for the event, and what a joy it was to have you all there to share the day.  

I was asked several times what I would be doing when I got back to the ranch.  I answered 90% of the time with, “I’ll be herding cattle on horseback.”  This was exactly what I ended up doing yesterday.  Amy and I spent almost the entire day on horseback.  We herded the branded cow/calf herd down to another pasture.  Went back out and picked up stragglers and renegade calves. After lunch, Amy tutored me in the art of using a round pen.  I practiced some basic horse skills.  I am feeling more confident every day.  Nellie and I are starting to understand each other.  

The round pen was good, and I am reminded of how out of shape I am.  We herded another batch of unbranded cow/calves into the yard to take care of some weeds.  Abby has a new mother and we were able to remove the calf skin from her since the mother claims her now.   The grass is an inch or two taller.  The mountains have a little snow, but it is quickly melting.

There is much more detail to my every day than I could fill in one post, but I wish you all could venture here and take a walk around with me.