Farm Life

For years I have wanted a family milk cow. Lucy, whom I lovingly called Big Mama on most days and some unmentionable names on a few not so great days, was our first cow. I worked with her getting her used to being haltered, lead, tied, and walked but we never got to milk. Every spring since she came home her and I were due at the same time. It was always deemed unsafe for me to start training and milking her.   Along came Sweet Caroline. She is so sweet. Finally a spring that she is due and I’m not....

I started the day with cow shit in my bathrobe pocket and ended it with a bottle calf named Ole.I was in the kitchen just waiting for the coffee to finish and trying to get the kids out the door on time. One of my favorite views is that out the kitchen window, looking out to the front yard, the barn and corral. This morning the corral didn’t look well.I slipped on the first pair of shoes I came to and headed out.Lucy was down. Not laying down like she just hadn’t got up for breakfast yet but laying down...

“Your daughter is going to need your help on Monday” Mike told my dad. Not sure just what I was getting into now I can imagine dad was a little hesitant to ask “now what does she have going on?”“She ordered 500 pound of flour to be delivered and needs help unloading the pallet.”Yes, I did that. 500 pounds of organic, non-GMO, heritage wheat flour from Minnesota! I’ve been sourcing my flour from Montana to fill in the gaps of what I’m not growing yet. I loved their flour but was searching out something more local and finally found it....

“Oh no you didn’t big mama!”We were already late, like later than the usual late, and there she stood staring at me as I was flying down the driveway. I hit the brakes and slid a bit on the ice, then put ‘er in reverse and was up to the barn in seconds.The kids were curious about what was going on but not too excited. They’re used to ma’ skidding to the barn anymore.Lucy doesn’t have a set due date but by the looks of it it was to be soon. She usually looks ready for a good month or...

  Belly up, neck first. Cut the neck skin just a little, then on the right side carefully peel the crop from the skin. Assuming the birds didn’t eat the day before it should be pretty empty, if not be extra careful because it can make a big mess. Turn the bird butt up towards you. Cut off the tail. Flip the bird and make a careful cut to open the abdominal cavity and cut around the butt hole. Again being extra careful to not cut anything beyond skin deep. Pull out the guts being sure to pull the throat...