Luckiest kid in the world

This video brings back so many great memories. I grew up much like to Boyd kids. I loved counting cattle, feeding bottle calves, and just running around in the pasture. It was fun way to grow up, and I wouldn't trade anything in the world for my farm background.

One memory that taught me a lot is the day mom left us at the pasture. We had been playing in our "African Savannah Tree" at the pasture while my parents vaccinated or moved cows (I really can't remember and didn't really care at age 5). We were having so much fun that when mom whistled, her signal that it was time to go, my brothers and I decided to ignore her. Mom then yelled to us explaining that it really was time to go home, but again we simply continued playing. So mom got in the truck, and we looked up in time to see her pulling away from the pasture. We beat it up the cow path, but were too late. Mom had disappeared down the road, and now (we thought) we were left to spend the night in the grass. My older brother immediately began planning where we would sleep, while I simply bawled. About fifteen minutes later, mom returned (she had simply gone out of sight down the hill), and three relieved kids piled into the back seat. The lesson that day...obey your parents, after all, there the ones with a warm house and supper.

Now I'm sure my brothers will deny this ever happened (as they do with most of my childhood memories), but it will always stick in my mind. The lessons I learned as a cowgirl apply to more than just raising cattle, they have spread into so many other areas of my life. I'm sure the Boyd kids will have similar memories. Feel free to comment and share your own fun story. After all, Farming isn't just about growing food, but about growing families too!

'till the cows come home

Ellie

Sammy Kershaw and Lady Gaga

I love music! Songs just speak to the heart in a way that plain words just can't. It seems that there is a song for every moment and emotion, and getting lost in a refrain is just great. I have quite a library according to iTunes, I could go 2 and 1/2 days listening to music without repeating a song. I have all sorts of artists in my library. In fact, the title of this blog comes from a mix cd I made. My older brother commented that only one of my cd's would contain both "Queen of my Double Wide Trailer" and "Poker Face."

For a long time, I only listened to country music, but around Jr. High I began to gain an appreciation for some pop and rock music. Now my tastes are so varied that I no longer have a favorite genre. My music tastes are as varied as my life experiences.

Just like my music collection can't be stereotyped, I can't be either. I'm a Christian, cowgirl, speech nerd, football fan, and political nut. I don't like to be put in a box. No body likes to be classified by a certain label, but I find myself quick to break out the label maker and begin sticking them on the folks around me. I have "city" friends that I have discovered have farm work experience. I'm surprised when they have thrown hay bales and chopped thistles. Just as farmers and ranchers don't want to be seen as money hungry stubborn hicks, non-farming folks don't want to be seen as ignorant spoiled brats. Stereotypes have no place in conversations. After all, we probably listen to the same music!

'till the cows come home,

Ellie