Getting the tour

My dad loves to give the tour.  The tour is a trip out to the pen of cows during evening feeding.  After helping to dump the buckets into the bunks, dad begins.  The tour varies depending on who is the recipient.  For my 5 year old cousin, he gets the version that explains the difference between a cow and a bull, and the possible up close and personal experience with a former show heifer.  For the past three years, I have been getting the tour.  My version involves standing in the middle of the lot as dad points to each calf and recites the name of the bull and the back story of the cow.  He also describes the plans he has for each calf whether it's the show ring, sale ring, or simply stay-at-home.  It's kinda funny that the man who claims not to remember his high school years can recite the lineage of every calf on the place. 

I love the tour.  It's time spent with my dad, (or Daddy as I like to call him).  It's also time reflecting on the blessings we have been given, and the future that we all hope for.  To many it would seem to just be some cows, boring old cows eating their feed, but to my father, and the rest of my family it's a passion.  One that can only be described as love for the land, the cattle on it, and the God who created it all.  So I'll treasure these tours until I get the chance to give my own.

A picture from one of last year's tours

'till the cows come home,
Ellie

Thank Goodness

I have been teasing a roommate of mind and referring to her as the "Christmas Nazi" as she is adamant that no sign of the holiday be present until after Thanksgiving. Secretly though I agree with her. It seems this holiday created by early Americans to give thanks to God for the blessings in their lives gets lost. It’s squished in there between the silly dress up of Halloween, and the huge event that is Christmas. It makes sense though, not much profit can be made from making a big deal about a holiday focusing on contentment and thankfulness.


The above picture is Nordstrom’s policy on the holidays. We don’t have one of the retail store’s locations here in Lincoln, but I like their sentiment. One holiday at a time. Christmas with its music, lights, snow, and magic is one of my favorite times of year, but Thanksgiving should have its place too.

As a farm kid, Thanksgiving is a chance to go home, celebrate the harvest of our neighbors (the chance for the cows to be out on stalks again), and be thankful for my close knit family. I’m also thankful for the folks that produce the food that sits on the table (though I’m not a fan of sweet potatoes). May God bless you and your family this holiday season.

‘till the cows come home,

Ellie

PS I’m also thankful you read this blog!

I don't hate vegetarians

My friends know all about my passion for beef.  In fact they enjoy teasing me about my many beef related titles. (After NE Angus Queen, and National Beef Ambassador, they claim World Beef Dictator is next).  They also enjoy introducing me to a vegetarian friend, hoping to make us both squirm. Usually its the vegetarian who needs to justify their choice, which I find kind of funny.

I don't hate vegetarians, after all, their diet is their personal decision.  I'm not offended by their choices, but what does upset me is misinformation being spread.  It's vegetarians that don't eat meat because they believe it's better for the environment, or animals on most farms are abused, or even pumped full of drugs and hormones that get me riled up.  If you are a vegetarian who happens to believe those things check out explorebeef.org  to learn about what really happens on farms and ranches.  

Everyone has a right to eat what they want, and not feel guilty.  Get your facts before you make a decision, but I won't judge you, so please don't judge me.  After all there are bigger problems in this world today then whether or not you eat meat. 

An old beef ad captures me sentiments.

'till the cows come home,

Ellie