Cowgirls

I write a lot about cowboys.

But today I want to write about the great ladies who work alongside the men - doing much of the same work, and they look better doing it! :) (you guys know this is true.) 
Some women are able to work with their men all day every day, some only part time, and some like me, are primarily stay-at-home moms, but who love to ride and work with our men when given the chance. (in other words: when we can find a babysitter!)

Here are some of the cowgirls who were at the Stevenson branding this week.
First up; Katie Rogers. Her husband used to work with Cliff at the X-Bar in the Big Laramie Valley. She was in vet school at the time, so I don't know her very well.

Next on the list is my good friend Karmen Stevenson.

She has a toddler and a baby, yet hasn't forgotten how to rope.

 

 When I grow up I want to be just like her. :)

 

 

Then comes... oops! I forget her name. I do know she is pretty and is getting married this month. Yeah. Sometimes I'm not that good with names.

 

 

 And lastly, Kaleah. (Forgive me if I am spelling your name wrong, Kaleah!)  I love her bright red shirt! She just happens to be Karmen's sis-in-law. And she can make a mean mocha cheesecake! She made the desserts for the branding lunch (after riding and roping all morning) and she did it all with jingling spurs, a knife strapped to her belt and a gun stuck in her waistband.
( I bet no rattler lives long around her!)

 

Maybe when you hear the word 'cowgirl', you think of turquoise and bling. Perhaps you think of barrel-racing and pink hats. But let me tell you - these are the true 'cowgirls'. These girls can cook a meal for several dozen people, ride, rope, brand and give shots. They can skin a deer and shoot a coyote. They can help a calving heifer and train a young horse. They can build fence and sort cattle.

And they can do it all with pink nail polish and beautiful long braids.

Because God made women tough.

Cowgirl Tough.

Stevenson Branding

June 9, 2013

Our good friends had a branding yesterday. They head and heel their calves, so of course it was a lot of fun! And they have two stinkin' cute  lil boys, so double the fun for me! :)

 Bringing in the herd.

 

Handful of rope...

 

 

Taking him to the fire while My Cowboy gets a heel shot.

 

 Got him!

Setting ropes.

 

 Branding.

 

 Waiting in line for their turn at roping.

 

 My friend Karmen! She's quite a handy lady. She has a toddler and a baby. She made lunch for about 20 people,(with some help from her sister-in-law)  and she was riding and roping with the crew.

 The Stevensons. Husband/wife team.

 

 A reata.

 

 

 Grandpa taking care of the baby.

 

Hot irons.

 

 



First Schrock Branding

 

My Cowboy and I made Schrock History last month.

We had a Schrock branding - of our very own calves.

True - it was a tiny branding, as brandings go, but hey - it was ours.

Kinda fun! :)

 

 

Cliff's brother came to try his hand at roping...

 

Didn't do too bad, considering he is a carpenter and all.

 

Oh wait - My Cowboy was a carpenter too, before he learned this whole ranch thing. Who cares? Anyone with some 'try' is bound to become handy. We aren't pedigree snobs around here!

 

 Our brand - designed and registered by My Cowboy. It's a take on a tool he uses a lot in his leathershop; the round knife. A friend who owns a welding business made the iron for us.

My Cowboy's mother also made the trip out from MO to help, since some of the pairs are actually hers. First ever branding for her.

 

Josh holding a steer.

                                                       First Round-Knife brand!

My Cowboy enjoys buckaroo tradition, and head/heel brandings. Of course all our brandings will be headin' and heelin'!!! :)

 

                               Head/heel brandin's make for prettier photos, I think.

 

 

 

                                                       Fun times!

 

Feedin' Hay

One sunny afternoon a few weeks ago, I took the 'little girls', and went with My Cowboy to feed hay. We usually feed round bales, but - thanks to the drought of 2012 - we have some large squares here, that we had to buy for the cows.

I use the term 'we' loosely.

 

 

Driving out to feed, this is what you see...

Awww.

 

 Then, there is the babysitter. Yes, cows do babysit. A couple cows may go to get a drink at the water tank or creek, and their calves will hunker down together, while another cow stands guard. It's touching. Sorta.

 

At the sight of the hay truck, they come running.
And then wait patiently while My Cowboy cuts strings off the bales and starts forkin' the hay off.

 

Or not...

Actually, cows know not the meaning of the word patience.

It's all noses to the hay bale, people! (I mean, cows.)

 

Anyways.

 

    I was doing what I do best, (next to makin' cinnamon rolls): Holding my baby, taking photos and videos by turn, and steering the truck, while making sure the drenching bottle stayed more or less upright. (My Cowboy had to drench a sick calf after feeding.)

  

You see, I dislike driving large vehicles, so I opt out on any excuse I can think up. Like taking videos. Or holding my baby. Or just about anything.

 

I act like I'm helping by reaching over with one hand and steering. But it's not really necessary. He does it every day or so by himself.

 

So I hold the baby and take photos and My Cowboy starts the truck, then climbs onto the back of the truck (while it's moving!) and forks hay. When he's done,  he climbs back through the door and continues driving.