horses – As Far As The Eye Can See

A Dramatic Day

(This post was started 10 days ago, references to time might be a bit confusing.)

Yesterday was a big one. A big day. We were moving cows again. Two herds that had been moved from their summer spots to a shared fall pasture were on their way home to their winter home. It was a big group and we had a good sized crew working with us.

As the day started for me I had a bit of ease. I puttered around the kitchen, made some to-go breakfasts for the start up crew, drank some coffee and put alot of thought to my lists for the day. Before the work began in earnest I had the feeling that I wanted to go back to bed and pray. That is not exactly usual for me. I have struggled with prayer my whole life. Lately I think about this, if prayer is about nurturing a relationship with God than I should actually talk to God like a friend, not like someone I am trying to convince to do something. So I find myself pondering my longings and I talk to God about that. On chase days I have so many worries that brew below the surface. My main worry is that someone will get hurt. I also want for people to have a good time and to not suffer. Between the horses, cows, weather and other things there are so many factors that influence every chase day. So I talked to God about my longing for safety. However, in those moments I had to admit to myself that growth comes through challenge, we are not promised a rose garden and I wondered why I and we should be spared trouble when others suffer so greatly. It got a bit serious. I had to back up my request and just say, whatever goes down today God, my desire is that you are walking with us.

It was a day that had its tricky moments but I believe my prayer was heard.

As the kitchen boss I was helped in two big ways. The first is that Friday night Russ and Morgan made a triple batch of chili. Russ thought that would feed 24 people but I knew better so lunch was well along but not totally done when the chili was in the fridge the night before. Russ is very particular about chili, has taken pride in showing Morgan how to make it and I think was genuinely happy to give me support. So the kitchen was a bit of a busy place Friday as I cooked supper while they did their thing. No cross words were heard but I was having a bit of an issue with my turf being shared. I did appreciate all that food ready for the next day I’ll tell you.

The other huge thing is that I had a hard working helper. My 2nd cousin Lisa arrived Friday from Regina. I always knew I was a family person but it becomes clearer in the moments like this, as we worked side by side I said, “Lisa, what would our Grandmas think if they could see us now?” Our grandmas were sisters and we agreed they would delight in the connection that remains after all the years. Lisa stepped in to help whereever she detected a hand was needed. Her presence eased the drama that was stirred up in me as Saturday unfolded.

The first drama was what many readers will already be aware of, that one of our crew was bucked off and his horse escaped. I sense the western nature of how all that unfolded would make a good blog post of its own. I know few details except Morgan tried his hardest to run that horse down, at one point Morgan was on the ground and a part of his tack, the breast strap got broken. I became aware of it all when Russell called. He asked me to sit down immediately and make a facebook post and tag everyone we know, alerting folks to the presence of a run away horse in the midst of a very foggy morning.

As I sat and did this posting Lisa worked away in the kitchen keeping the chicken stew preparations going, monitoring bread baking and just basically being a whole extra brain on the job when mine was absent. I needed that. Once the post was made there was really nothing that we could do to help that situation so we buckled down to work. It was shortly after this that Gina called. She was in a bit of trouble. She had been at an audition outside of Toronto, she had borrowed our friends’ car to get there, she was at a gas station enroute home, reporting in that the car wouldn’t start. From one perpsective this was not a dramatic situation, noone was hurt, there was no damage that was of Gina’s doing, she had already had the audition and was not short of time to get anywhere. But somehow, it held so much drama. There was the, “my kids needs me and I am 2500km away from her” inner tension in me. There was the dawning realization in Gina that her mother and father had no magic solution to get her out of this. There was that terribly uncomfortable dynamic that Gina was driving a borrowed car, making a breakdown even more awkward than it already is. There was the added dimension that I couldn’t stop what I was doing, not really, I had a whole crew of people to feed and not keep waiting. I was therefore scanning my packing list as we talked, collecting the various things we need and making a start at being ready to roll out. However, Gina was getting more upset not less, as the difficulty of the situation became clearer and clearer. She was not able to get ahold of our friends to get their advice or wishes for what to do with the car. I was brainstorming all the people we knew in Toronto that might be able to help. We were assessing their locations in proximity to her. We were discussing the merit of her calling an old boyfriend for help. Her phone battery was a little low and we figured out that Uber and Lyft didn’t cover where she was. It was starting to feel overwhelming. Then Lisa (who helps administer a bussing company in Regina) had a thought, she suggested Gina do a certain something with the gear shift and voila, the car started immediately. Gina’s response was like it was Christmas all over again, she declared that Lisa is her hero of the day. What a wave of relief swept through our call. Before hanging up so that we could get back to work we learned that the horse stunt work company that had seen Gina do her stuff were very happy, and spoke like her involvement in their event next May is a forgone conclusion. They also invited her back to ride horses anytime. Just a bit of drama had unfolded! Gina forged alot of new territory yesterday and we along with her.

Russ called to report that the crew was doing well, moving fast and

Well, this is as far as I got before I had to stop and 10 days later I am not sure what more I was going to say about that day. Bear with me if things are a bit vague.

Lisa and I got lunch delivered pretty much perfectly on time, although the crew, despite the earlier shenanigans, was running early. We arrived to find a very chilled crew. The earlier fog, with the moisture it brought, in combination with the lack of promised sun and high wind blowing right against everyone made things quite uncomfortable. Our menu was appreciated. It was part way through serving that we realized the cost of getting interrupted by Gina’s phone call. I had not finished counting and packing the cups we needed for both coffee and chili. We had lots, but not enough. When that dawned on us we had a saving grace. Russell’s chili is very thick, that is part of what defines it, he told Lisa that if I tried to add water to it in the morning it was her job to stop me. I didn’t even try or think about it! That thick chili was served directly onto the plates we passed out for holding cups and spoons and bread and stuff. It got cold fast but it was served and there were cups for coffee.

Cows tend to move well when moving into the wind, it refreshes them I think, and so the crew had the cows home and into the gate well before sunset. Lisa and I had to hustle to get supper ready and some extra silliness ready. It was the tenth birthday of our dogs Bingo and Maddie and coming up in a week was Coffee’s birthday. Russell had insisted we have a celebration. We had bought decorations, Lisa made ground beef cupcakes for the dogs and decorated them with mashed potatoes, bacon bits and cheese sticks. We sang them happy birthday, crowned them as birthday princesses and ate cake while they ate their cupcakes. It was fun! Those dogs are a real source of light in our days, it felt great to celebrate them.

As we ate there were stories shared of the day. Some details about the buck off got a little clearer, the fact that the rider was very sore also got clearer. Through the week details have been shared so that I understand even better what happened. Russell is convinced that a cougar or something like it was in the swamp beside the road. Russ says they smell strong and the horses detected it. Gary’s horse went absolutely crazy after sensing it, the “buck off” was among the most spectacular seen at our ranch. The horse then charged into the herd, straight into a cow which knocked another rider off her horse. She was okay. Russell’s horse was spooked but recovered, Russ did not get bucked off. After running what looks like 12 or more miles the horse was cornered and held at the feedlot north of the Martens ranch near Alameda. Paige held it there until Gary and Mike Hubbard could get there and Gary was able to get near and secure it. Gary saddled it later and rejoined the crew, the horse did not look very tired. Incredible.

It was a hard day. My initial hope to have God walk with us through all it held……well….how do you measure whether such a prayer was answered or not? There was drama, there was injury, there was stress. But we make the choice to put ourselves in challenging and potentially dangerous situations, in situations where no outcome is guaranteed. My faith tells me that God is near. I see it. It was in the instinct to give that was brought to life in so many people, in my friend Tanya who lent Gina the car, Lisa giving me her whole weekend to lend a hand, the Co-op grocery clerk I didn’t know who asked me while I was shopping after lunch, if the horse had been found. She told me she had used part of her lunch break to go look for it, “I have horses” she said to explain her care for a situation that didn’t affect her life at all. The instinct to give was in the whole crew who suffered through cold and wind for us and our cows. Thats humbling. There were so many who shared info about the stray horses location and Paige’s time and energy given to protect the horse and ease our challenge. Its all evidence of God’s Spirit on the loose, as fast and far reaching as that horse. But there is more, I had alot to hold onto that day, alot of needs to meet, alot to be calm for, and I was. It was in part because of the great help I had and in part because I was calm. I was calm for a reason that I can’t explain. I have to go with “I was not alone.”

So anyways, from the bad smell of a cougar to pondering about prayer. I am done writing. It was quite a day. Here are pictures you might enjoy.

Laurie riding in the early morning fog.

David and Pat……the only cowboys in sight…..that I can see.

Jen and Cinder……a happy reunion of rider and horse.

I would love to know what both Laurie and Braylee were thinking in this moment.

The sun came out for a while after lunch. There are some bright smiles here too as Braylee and Lacee keep pushing ahead with the herd.

Having walked about 18 miles the herd is within steps of the gate here.

And in they go. This is a cool sight from our living room windows.

This is Lisa in the background. It is the only picture I have of her from the weekend. This fact does not honor the amount of support she provided. I took this picture to send to Braylee’s pal, our girl Gina.

A close-up of the dogs birthday cupcake.

Birthday cake for the humans.

Russ helped the dogs blow out their candles.

Bingo was quite intrigued.

The scene at lunch.

Having taken a chilling turn watching over the herd while most of the cowboys were getting their lunch, Jim rides in to camp.

Miles and I at the lunch station.

Coffee was essential on this chilly day. Bill smiled readily for the picture.

Everyone has been enjoying spending more time on the trail with Pat’s daughter Emory. She is doing great.

Hugs have the added benefit of sharing warmth. Its so great to see the friendships on the trail.

Pat and Jen are still smiling despite the weather conditions.

With no time to spare I was blowing up balloons and moving chairs around at the same time, prepping for the supper scene. I had no idea where I was going to put these balloons in the absence of helium. I was quite thrilled with myself when I found a spot for them in the tree (only one popped.)

It was Lisa’s idea to hang this banner in this spot. Looked perfect to me. Another thing she just took care of.

Tanya sent me this picture after Gina arrived back at her place with the car. Everything really was okay! (Even better yet, we now know that audition is looking to lead to three different opportunities, and she is definitely booked in to be a “horseback champion” for the medieval tournament in May. )

Gary back on his horse after the two were reunited. The gratitude that is part of this picture is very real.

Waskesui

I am sitting in the dining room at Hawood Inn in Waskesui.

I came here with Russ. He has been in meetings for two days at Elkridge Resort, they are discussing climate solutions for ranching and farming. I am working on the book we are creating about ranching. I am done the bulk of the writing and now need to work to select and place the best pictures. I came to the Waskesui townsite because we are now checked out of our room and I wanted to come back here to reminisce. Almost 15 years ago I traveled here with three little kids to meet my extended family for a reunion. I hold so much love for those people in my heart. It is comforting and a bit sad to be back here without them, our elders are passing and much has changed. Waskesui remains beautiful and on this sunny but cold winter day it is quiet and rather soul stirring.

Perhaps that is the reason that as I perused our most recent photo shoot from Liz, looking for the pictures that fit best with what I am saying, the picture below stopped me in my tracks.

I am pondering a point I made in my writing. I have a section in the book to explore whats it like to be me, a ranch wife. One of the realities is that this ranch life has created quite a distance between me and the people and spaces of my original hometown, Saskatoon. In the book I readily point out that Russ has acted to lessen the hardness of that. How has he done it? This picture stopped me. The tall guy wearing the slicker, looking like a pretty seasoned cowboy is in fact a grade 8 teacher in Saskatoon. He is my cousins husband. After almost 30 years of knowing Jimmy I just think of him as my cousin. Russ has always been so welcoming of my family and has weathered the challenges of having rookies on the trail, to give them an experience and help them feel welcome at our place. I sometimes take that for granted because it has always been the case, but its really awesome to feel that any of our people can come, and they do.

The other thing about this picture that just about takes my breath away is the two layers of action in it that Gina and Morgan are responsible for. Gina, our oldest daughter, visiting from Toronto at the time of this picture, is helping Jimmy to get tacked up for the ride ahead. The smile you can glimpse tells me how comfortable she is, happy to have Jimmy there and so willing to prep horses for others. Morgan several feet behind her is almost ear to ear with his horse Padre and so very capably bridling him. The last time I was in Waskesui I was attempting to parent two year old Morgan, five year old Jill, and 7 year old Gina. They were terribly cute and endearing, but I had to leave Russ at home haying and I am terrible about asking for help. So I remember the juggling of being here in Waskesui and doing what it took to keep us all on track while soaking up the reunion time as much as possible. Now here I sit, sipping coffee, Morgan is holding down our work at home, and his own, Gina is living a big life, on her own merit, in Toronto and Jill just sent me the goofiest video from her responsibilities at Starbucks in Regina. She is deep into rehearsals for the current musical she is in. I feel like I am bragging to put all this into print, but maybe its okay to say what a friggin relief it is to see your kids get to this point. Maybe its okay to say that raising kids is so incredibly frazzling but in the most rewarding and endearing way I have known. Maybe its okay to confess that seeing your kids being capable and helping others is a source of deep pride. Maybe a stew of all that is what was swirling when I stopped on that candid picture. It was a second in time, it looked like just another cowboy moment but I guess for me, sitting on the shores of Waskesui lake, it marks a milestone in parenting.

There are a couple more pictures that help round out the points.

This picture is one of my favorites because right in the center of it is one of my favorite dogs ever, looking directly at Liz’s camera. For the purposes of the blog this image illustrates something, my niece Brodie and her friend Clare are in this picture. They are darn good help. Brodie started riding many years ago as a visitor at the ranch and we have enjoyed having Clare for two seasons of cow chasing now. Russ is really good at giving people a chance to learn.

Here is Jimmy, now safely seated in his saddle, he is with our new friend Steve. The slicker he is wearing was bought in June, embroidered with our brand by Lynn, it is Russell’s but Jimmy did it justice for its first appearance on the Bar MW trail. He looks so natural. I like imagining what the students in his city classroom would think to see their teacher as a working cowboy.

The day captured by Liz in these pictures was a very good day. My kids were all home and all on a horse and some of my Saskatoon people were near. With the help of my local friend Sandy I was able to get this large crew fed. The picture was pretty complete.

A Rebuttal to Stress

This post is mostly just fun stuff, parts of the last few days that have nothing to do with the regular stress of life. The weather and schedule have allowed these moments.

Morgan and Russ spent much of Saturday on their horses working at the back at the Chopper K Auction Mart. Our friends were selling much of their herd there. Russ and Morg ushered cows, bulls and calves to the pens after they were done in the auction ring. It was a beautiful day and they had lots of hours side by side.

Grandma Shirley came over Sunday afternoon to help us decorate for Christmas. Knightwing loves her, and seemed to sense her presence in the car, she never came near my door but went straight to Shirley’s side.

After the initial greeting Knightwing stopped all movement to the door when she flopped herself down in front of Shirley and posed herself for a belly rub. Grandma Shirley obliged her.

It has become our tradition to enjoy favorite snacks while we decorate the tree. The last couple of years we have started with a charcuterie board of our treats and a sit down feast time.

Russ and Bingo had the job of encouraging the tree decorators. I wonder what they were saying to each other in this moment.

When these arm-less glasses came out of the decor box Russ got busy making a photoshoot happen. This is the smile that can light up an arena, yep, thats Jordanna.

Jill arrived home late Saturday, she made Christmas decorating a priority in her schedule.

I took this picture for Gina before I hung her ornament from last year on the tree. FDC stands for “Fight Directors of Canada”, she got her intermediate certification last year, her ornament marked that achievement. We are missing her.

Today Russ had ambitions to get as many bales hauled as possible but ran into a flat tire and realized he really needed to get all new tires to make his work as safe as possible. He was very fortunate when the tire shop closest to the field had the tires he needed. He was travelling with Kngihtwing and Bingo at this point. They managed life on the hoist very well.

Today my phone rang about 3:30, it was Morgan, “hey Mom, whatcha doing?” I was working on my laptop and drinking a mocha. My presence was being requested to pull the “heel-a-matic”, a roping dummy on wheels that Morg can use for roping practice. Honestly, I didn’t want to. I had been working on the house all day and I had just settled in at my computer. But……in an effort to be a good Mom I bargained for time to finish my mocha and then headed out. Of course, it was fun and I was glad to be there. Its usually like that with kids. Here is the view in my rear view mirror.

This is a glimpse of the heel-a-matic pal I pulled.

It gave me a feeling of deep contentment, a glimpse of the old normal, to be working on supper and have Morgan at the counter doing homework and Jill working on a project. I had to grab a picture.

While at the counter Jill had a look at the last blog I published. She said it was good but it was missing this picture. This was a screenshot of the Whatsapp call that linked Regina, Carnduff, Alameda and Halifax while our calves were selling on Thursday. This call was a first, but we are lucky to have these folks that care alot about us and how things are going.

Last night I got a message from my friend Lindsay. She had time today to come and be with me to tackle the cleaning work. Of course I said yes. So, the really great reality as this day unwinds is that our home has received lots of TLC and the walls have heard some good conversation.

The days ahead are really busy and hold some pressure as we get the last of the big fall jobs done on the ranch and I lead a funeral. It is very good to have these lighter moments, special people and images to ponder as we tackle what lies ahead.

When I read this to the family here and asked for their feedback, asked what they would want to see changed, it went like this……

Russ wanted it noted that this was Jordanna’s first time helping us get ready for Christmas and this is a big moment for him (Russ), he not so secretly wants Jordanna to be his daughter in law.

Jill thought the following three pictures should be added.

Jill enjoyed participating in Russ and Morg’s cow moving job at the sale on Saturday via a whatsapp video call from Russ, catching her on her break.

Jill glimpsed the Shirley and Knightwing action from the door and grabbed a picture. This is her perspective on those tender moments.

Today Jill did a few hours with Russ as he moved bales home. They had a fun time together.

Morgan offered this quote in my voice that he wanted included, “Morgan didn’t start out as our favorite but he quickly rose to the top, he did this by his postiive can-do attitude and strong work ethic that he demonstrates in his day to day life.”

My reply to that was to turn to Russ and say, “he’s writing his own report card!”

Jill’s rebuttal……Jill remains our favorite, through her postive can-do attitude and her strong work ethic and in addition, her tremendous cool vibes and endless spice and immense talent (followed by her ferral laugh, she is not comfortable tooting her own horn.)

Russ felt it was imperative to include Gina in this conversation. He was lucky to catch her at this late hour in Toronto, she and Jack (her boyfriend) were watching a show. She got straight to the point in rebutting Morgan saying,

“Morgan cannot say he has a positive can-do attitude because he is rude and angry when he has to help people that don’t know how to ride horses.” This very much offends Gina, Morgan’s defense is, “Because wer’e not f-in ‘heartland'”, and, in addition….Gina feels that Jill is the favorite.

So there it is, a simple blog that got a bit crazy.

Jill just said, “if people make it to the end of the blog they deserve a little fun.”

Are Your Ears Buzzing?

A few weeks ago I walked into one of our local businesses with a pretty common (for me) purpose. I was sent on a search for a very particular part, something needed to keep the guys going. As I approached the counter where staff and other customers were chatting I heard, “oh are your ears burning?” That is a Canadian expression, maybe elsewhere too, it means “we were just talking about you!” They got right back to the topic at hand and included me in it saying, “wouldn’t it be cheaper just to truck all those cows home?” The clerk said to me, “and wouldn’t it be alot easier on you?” I fudged my way through attempted answers to their points. I felt a little bit defensive and a little bit unprepared to tackle the question of why we do what we do and I was not sure if that was really being invited. I came home and talked with Russ about what had transpired.

A few days later, while Gina was home and just before Jill had to take off back to Regina the five of us went out for breakfast. As we walked into the Flying M diner in Carnduff, with many tables occupied, the place seemed unusually quiet. As we took our place one fella at the long coffee row table of regulars said, “well we were just talking about you.” Russ retorted very quickly “well was it anything good?” To which there was some mumbling mixed responses. That explains the quiet that prevailed as we made our way to the corner booth.

We have to expect that if we involve large numbers of people in our work, we post things on social media and we do things a bit abnormally we are going to be talked about. Its hard on me though, because once information gets out there its out of my hands and who knows how the facts might get fudged, bit by bit. I really like to be seen as appropriate and I want to be good business owners and humans. However, I am not confident enough yet as a rancher, maybe those who chat in coffee shops and parts counters know more than we do and we are on the wrong track. Thats part of the doubting and hard on myself narrative that runs in the back of my mind as my days unfold.

With these experiences happening so closely together and the fact that I am writing a book and I need practice saying why we do what we do, I want to address a little bit of the story of how this Bar MW Chase scene came to be what it is.

In the fall of 2000, after Russ and I had been engaged a couple of months I was enfolded into the culture of the Bayliss chase scene. At that time I was simply an observer. From the late 1960s until the early 2000s the Bayliss family had a large herd of Percheron horses. These were kept in their barns over the winter to collect their urine. It was valuable when the mares were pregnant. The estrogen in it could be removed and then sold for use in hormone replacement therapy for women. The mares and stallions spent their summers in pastures in various locations. These locations are quite far flung from each other and from the ranch, a result of where pasture was available to rent. This has meant that every fall, as is the case now, the Bayliss ranch is moving herds of animals down our country roads towards home. Over the years the nature of the herds has changed. As markets for hormone replacement crashed in the early 2000s the ranch was cut out of the horse urine collection business. The horse herd was slowly disbanded and our cow herd grew. No matter what the ratio of cows to horses was, every year there were animals needing pasture and that meant that come fall the Bayliss family was on the trail. With several hundred horses to get home in those earlier days there has rarely been a small Bayliss chase. Through the years if friends or family wanted to be on the trail it has always been the tradition here to try and include them. I opened up a photo album and found these pictures from 2003. They catch important themes.

This is my niece Bobbi-Lynn and Russell’s cousins’ daughter Brittany. Bobbi is riding Dick, our good ol mule who still carries our beginning riders. Bobbi and Britanny now each have two kids of their own, they are married to pretty terrific guys and live big lives. We loved having these moments of their childhood with them.

Kaitlyn made such an impression on me this day with her creative solution to saddle sores on her knees (duct tape). As zesty as she was in this picture she is thoughtful and deep now. I know that because when I get my hair cut she is the woman I turn to. As we talk a bit about her beautiful kids and mine it seems we usually touch on what it is to be human.

Russell’s niece Staci grew up just down the road from the main ranch. She was a big part of the action in the early days. Staci has gone on to establish her own ranch with her husband and become a realtor. She is an extremely impressive young woman. Thats Billy Haight in the background.

Here is our beloved mule Jane in the prime of her youth. This day her rider is Matthew, my sister’s boy. Matt is now all grown, educated and married. He is a 6’7″ fabrication welder and has been the best big cousin to my kids. The background of this picture needs to be noted. My father in law Walter is on the right and my mother in law Marlene has her back to us on the left. When I asked Matt for his permission to use this picture and talk about him he said, “that picture holds great memories.”

This is Russell’s cousins’ boy Brian. He is now a businessman in Estevan, the father of two beautiful kids and about to be married. When I texted him to ask if I could use this picture and name him he said yes and gave permission for his follow up comment too. Brian said, “I’ve told Marissa and the kids many times that my happiest memories as a young man were at Uncle Walter’s ranch.” In this picture he is riding next to Russell, they were flushing horses out of the river valley pasture.

This is what a herd of Percheron horses looks like coming down the road. This is 12 year old Bobbi-Lynn leading the herd on Dick. I think my sister Linda is visiting with Russ just off to the left in the picture.

Our friend Bill trailing the horse herd. Twenty years later Bill and his wife Sharon are still with us on the trail and some weekends there is three generations of Hubbards riding. Sharon is essential crew, driving the truck that trails behind everyone.

The earliest hours of Gina’s life with horses. Its quite something to ponder.

Walter, Russell’s Dad, is seen in the striped shirt. This picture says alot, perhaps its the sun ray but to my eye it seems to illumine all the experience and authority that Walter held.

The early horse chases held epic moments like this, where a whole herd of mares came straight down main street in Glen Ewen. Patrons at the hotel came out to watch.

Choosing to feature 2003, because those are the pictures I had easy access to meant that only Gina is seen in this post. I have slipped in a couple extra pictures to show Jill and Morgan in the saddle too. I believe each of them were two years old in these pictures.

Russ says that Morgan rode ten miles of eighteen on this day. Russ had Trigger’s lead shank but if trouble developed he could drop it and that horse would wait for Russ to come back. The saddle Morgan is using is 100 years old, once belonging to Burt Lee of Pierson. Our friend Kathy Sloan is behind Morgan.

This moments catches a Bayliss family friend, a New Zealand sheep shearer named Clinton Doyle, visiting with my Mom, my mother in law Marlene, Gina and I during a trail lunch break.

I think the Bayliss family has always had an ethic of welcome. These pictures have revealed some of the ways that welcome unfolded. Russ and I didn’t start this way of ranching, we inherited it, embraced it, and continue to ponder what unfolds and the value in it. In continuing to welcome people to the ranch we are carrying on the legacy that Marlene and Walter left for us.

One thing is different……the way we do trail meals. Over the years things have evolved for very specific reasons. The picture below illustrates how lunch unfolded when Marlene was in charge. Marlene laid out a lunch of coffee, sandwiches, hot chocolate and fresh desserts on the tailgate of her truck or in the early days the trunk of her big car. Marlene was a great cook. Her sandwiches would feature fresh bread she had run to town to purchase the morning of a chase. The bakery at Spencers met her needs perfectly. She would sit at her kitchen table and laboriously work through as many as ten loaves of bread, assembling a variety of sandwiches using good meat and lots of butter. She was famous for her good desserts and would offer thick icing on her signature cakes. It was good food laid out casually and enjoyed as people stood around or sat in the ditch.

Marlene’s trunk, the remains of lunch, baby Gina and cousin Blaine are seen here. Blaine has grown into a grain farmer with three kids. Gina and Jill were flower girls at his wedding.

Russ eating one of the once famous trail sandwiches. (Ignore the date stamp on this picture, its wrong, I didn’t even know Russ in June of 1998)

Marlene’s table, her work space for those sandwich making bees, and the place where all through the year an ethic of welcome was lived out. I count 15 served this night, including the kids and our friend Renee from Australia. Marlene left big shoes to fill.

One fall there was a weekend that Russell and I were totally in charge of lunch for the first time. I think Walter and Marlene were attending a wedding out east. We wanted to do this right and purchased good sandwich meat, enough we thought for two days of lunch meals. We spent $70. That number is stuck in my head, because I was shocked when, in 2010 or so, $70 of meat was not enough for the sandwiches we needed to make. So we cooked a roast, boiled eggs and fried up bacon to make enough supplies for the second days lunch. As my Mom and I assembled sandwiches I remember feeling frustrated. As a culture we had become used to Subway. What if someone did or didn’t want mustard? What about mayo? Were our guests going to be satisfied? On top of that, the process of making ten loaves of sandwiches was just plain boring. I wondered, if we were going to spend $120 on sandwich meat what else could we create for that kind of money? As a result of this weekend experience we started sharing the cooking with Marlene more, and using crockpots of chili, hamburger soup, etc. This tinkering with the meals just never really stopped. We started experimenting more and more and discovering what the menu items were that made our riders really happy. Taco in a Bag has become an absolute fan favorite and this year I added a potato soup that people loved. Its made the process more fun and more importantly ….rewarding. I have been the main cook for about 10 years now I think and the words of thanks and compliments given after a good meal on the trail have kept me motivated.

Here is Russ, as captured by Liz Griffin, enjoying his favorite trail meal. We always serve warm roast beef, gravy and buns with ripple chips (some token veggies too) on the chase day we cross the Alameda dam. Its a tradition! In 2020 when this picture was taken it was lunch on two different days.

I think being a cook for big meals has helped me learn about myself. It has become clear to me that I am frustrated by lack of space. Perhaps this explains the big dining room we designed in our home and the purchase of tables for laying out food. One day after we had our tables we were really able to up our game when we discovered fold up benches for sale at Costco. We tried one. It was good. We bought three more. As a result we roll in and set up a fairly complicated arrangement for a trail meal. Who is the we? I have helpers, family and friends who come alongside and make my part possible. This year some mechanical trouble put the Chuckwagon out of service but usually we open up the back doors of that Powell gift van and start unloading. With a garbage can, water for the dogs, wash water for the “kitchen” , dishes, etc. my packing list is extensive, it includes tylenol and advil just in case. I know this set-up is what feels a little over the top to onlookers. Despite the extra effort, for me it feels easier, that doesn’t make sense but its true. I love it that people can sit and relax and huddle and just enjoy a break.

Found here is Jen and Em dishing up, Jill as my partner, hot food, tables, baskets and on this day, a whole lot of wind.

Russ loves it that sometimes we can just set up in the middle of the road. Welcome to quiet Saskatchewan! My trusty helpers here are my cousin Lisa from Regina and Jill dressed up for halloween!

People are good about pitching in and getting things set up and taken down afterwards. Our truck driver Sharon is always a wingman in getting things tidied and stowed after the meals.

Sharon. Official job: truck driver ~ Unofficial job: Take care of everyone and take pictures.

Getting back to the ears burning conversations that started this……Yes it might be easier to truck the cows home, yes it would be less work for me not to oversee cooking all those meals. Yes. But what about the kids? What about all the lessons? What about all the friendship? What about all the chances to show love through food? What about the vivid experiences of teamwork? What about the jokes? And what about the cows? Russell says that having all this time on the trail with them allows familiarity that means they handle pretty well at other times of the year (mostly!). In addition, Russ gets to see up close and personal the condition of the herd and concerns we need to address become clearer. He sees very vividly the cow calf pairs and which cows are giving us the most healthy calves. Russ feels really strongly that this cow familiarity is a perk of the way we handle all this.

So much of everything I have pondered was captured in a text I got from Cowboy Patrick. He gave me permission to share it. He wrote, “Thank you Kathy for all you and Russell do for everyone here. It is very much appreciated! You and your family bring so many people together and provide amazing opportunities for so many that are young and old. The countless stories that are shared to laughs and tears are priceless. The bonds that are made and the sense of accomplishment achieved by so many. I know its not always “easy” but please don’t ever stop what you guys do….it has benefitted so many including me and my kids. We look forward to this every year! Thank you”

Here is Patrick, 2nd from the front, and Laurie, 4th from the front, working the herd at Manor before leaving the pasture. They are surrounded by teenagers. I believe this is Rhett, Emet, Mac, Teanna and Marisol. This illustrates some of what Patrick wrote of. (A Liz Griffin photo).

Patrick said “young and old”, our youngest rider this year was 5, the oldest helper on the trail, helping us get trucks moved from the starting pasture to the end one was 86.

We have heard more than one person say, “this is the highlight of my year.” We say that. As my kids prepared to all be home, and visitors were heading our way, it felt like Christmas and I said so. Gina will not be home for the holidays this year because she made ten days of chase season a priority for her vacation time. Morgan just said he thinks he looks forward to this more than Christmas.

This long story I have told you means there is no quick way to answer the clerks and coffee shop patrons who make our ears burn, except to say, “its worth it.” It is getting clearer as our society changes that If we don’t have a sense of community we don’t thrive. It seems we have a part to play in rounding out people’s lives.

Another Week Gone By

Its Sunday evening. Another week has passed at the Bar MW Ranch. This morning at church a very dear person told me, “I follow everything you write on Facebook.” I was so warmed by how sincerely she said this. It strengthened my resolve to share at least a few things more often. Pictures speak volumes. Words can overhwhelm. So here is some captioned pictures to tell you about the week that has been.

I had my eyes examined this week and picked out new glasses. I did not choose these ones. But if I had money to throw around I would have chosen these as a second pair. I love how zippy they are.

Grandma Shirley came with me to the eye doctor in Estevan. Then we went to lunch and then some shopping. I asked her if I could take this picture to send to the kids, because they miss her. She agreed. I was only partly telling the truth. I wanted the picture for myself. I am crazy about this friend of mine and I want all these souvenirs of our adventures together.

Jill is into her last two weeks of preparation for the musical she is in. This past week they added the orchestra to the practices. Jill loved it. She sent us this photo of her taken when she and some friends came across a poster for the musical, “Seussical.” Russ and I are thrilled she has created this opportunity for herself.

Gina sent us this selfie. It meant alot to us. She has been off work with a concussion. We love seeing the sparkle in her eye as she is back to work. I told her it reminded me of Pippi Longstocking, as it seems she is walking a horse on the streets of Toronto. She liked that connection.

I am loving being Morgan’s Mom at home. He is so interesting and fun. Here he is using a bug gun. It projects salt at flies to take them down. At the same time he is playing with his dog. Some will remember that Coffee had 3 broken toes earlier in the summer. Her healing has not been seamless but thanks to our vets she is doing great. She warms my heart immensely.

Our friend Jen arrived for a short visit. She brought me a bunch of headbands, because I had been admiring hers on her last visit. We did a photoshoot and included dogs, ropes and kitchen tools lying around. Headbands for all!

Thursday morning we went to Chopper K to sell last years late calves, we call them “grassers”. It was a weird morning. We were paid prices higher than we have ever seen before. The market is so strong right now. Instead of feeling elated I just felt odd. I am grateful, no doubt about it, very grateful, but living through the cycles of the markets brings about interesting knowing and feelings. How can anyone afford to eat when we get prices like this? How long will this last? What will the downward swing of prices look like when it happens? This extreme doesn’t represent bonus money, just some to help us recover more fully from the terrible ranching year that 2021 was. And then a lingering worry, how will our long term expenses be affected by such short term price surges? The price is partly a response to the fact that there are just less calves to be bought. The drought which is being seen in so many places has pushed many people out of the business. It is others suffering that has contributed to the prices we saw this week. So, yeah, it was a complicated feeling kind of morning.

We make it a tradition to get a picture of Kim from the auction mart passing us the cheque.

Thursday afternoon I had my hair cut. I had about 4 inches taken off I think. The next day Russ and I went to Estevan for a dentist appointment for him. We got to have breakfast out in the big city. This was taken at that breakfast.

Morg called me that afternoon and said, “come out to the barn I think I got something you will love.” I whined. I was working at my desk and wanted to focus. He walked this yearling colt to the driveway and called me again. He had me, I walked out and indeed enjoying petting and scratching this beauty he is working with.

The reason for Jenn’s visit earlier in the week was to leave us with her dog as she headed away to a wedding. We have enjoyed having Paisley around, for this week our dog census has been two German Shephard or part GS, and three collies. It has not been dull!

Just for laughs……when I suggested earlier this year that these socks were ready for the bin Russ resisted. He has some connection to them. And so…..they remain in rotation.

We received a gift yesterday. A print from an artist who is Russell’s god-daughter. She created this piece to honor murdered and missing indigenous women. We are grateful to have this in our home.

Russ has made it his habit lately to capture some pictures of me leading worship in the different places I find myself. This morning at Alameda we had the sacrament of communion. Morgan assisted in the serving. There were some hilarious moments that were a part of church this morning as some things didn’t go as planned. A whole blog post could be made describing some of the reasons we laughed today.

This is just silly. A record Russ made of me with my new “recipe.” Slices of apple, dipped in a shotglass of maple syrup and then dipped in whipped cream. Delish!

Russ, Laurie and Morgan checked some of our herds this afternoon. Russ reports the animals are looking okay, but the grass is really getting affected by the lack of rain and the grasshoppers. Its a worry.

Before Laurie went home we had a beer and some chips and a darn good visit. Russ commented again today, how much he appreciates that Laurie is so close, both distance wise and friendship wise. Our cat enjoyed being part of the refreshment hour.

After a week that had us whipping up and down the highways and eating in restaurants alot (3 meals at Chopper K Steakhouse in 2 days….eek, plus other meals out) its nice to wind this post down in the midst of some rain, tucked in our own comfy corner of the world, together with our dogs. I think its hard to grasp how truly blessed we are.

Day 4 – Cowchase Season – 2022

It is 5:08am on Monday. I forgot to turn my alarm off, so…..I am awake blogging now, Russ is watching Netflix. I am feeling a little stupid but it does give some moments to do this. I just asked Russ, “how would you describe yesterday?” He replied, “it was a good day….it was a great day.” There were challenges and mishaps, but overall we have much to be thankful for.

Jen sent this picture early on, the first glimpse I had of the work. Russ says they were just bringing the cows into McNeil’s yard for sorting. That is Griff, Morgan, a rider we aren’t sure of from behind and Jen’s dog Paisley.

More of the crew moving in to get the job done. This is all the pictures I have of the early work. Jen said her hands were too cold to take her gloves off during the actual sorting. It was busy and cold (-7).

Jen, Kenzie, Jordanna and Tenley in the McNeil yard.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I came into the house after getting buns from the garage freezer. Buster was sitting on my desk. That has never happened. Buster doesn’t usually get included on cowchase posts, this was his chance.

The frazzled cook has hair half up and half down.

One of the last lunch prep jobs was making the gravy to go with beef on a bun.

Jill has become the master packer of the van. This lineup meant many trips.

The scene inside our big chuckwagon. We figure it’s our sixth season rolling down the road in this creation David Powell gifted us with.

Jill and I came from the east and caught a glimpse of the herd coming up to Alameda. We were excited and drove past our lunch spot to see them. We were getting a glimpse of the action and seeing if we were needed on the highway. The herd had been slow moving and we got in a wee bit of heck at the end of this video, for looking like we were going to stop the herd at a crucial moment. 🥴🤦‍♀️

Jill took this picture. Peyton had to come back for seconds, our dog Knightwing had stolen part of her lunch. She was extremely cute telling us her story.

This looked like a fun moment to capture but I ended up getting involved and it didn’t go well. Gina ended her day in an aircast, one we own from a previous injury of hers. Gina was riding bareback because her horse had developed a cinch sore. Mounting up was tricky. Despite hurting her foot/ankle in the process she worked all afternoon, she didn’t want to miss out and it was clear to her that her Dad was relying on her. Indeed, Russ and Morg had to leave the herd for about an hour to try and rope a calf that left our herd and joined another in a pasture along the way. He returned to find Gina with a survey stick in her hand working the herd back and forth, back and forth. She was 100% focused on the cows. Long before lunch she had been nominated for cowgirl of the day, Jen witnessed Gina helping to sort the three herds from each other in a way that was admirable. After riding bareback most of the day and enduring pain all afternoon she definitely earned the nomination.

Jill took this picture of Russ at lunch.

Gina took this picture of Russ shortly after lunch as they headed over the dam.

Patrick took this picture. The dam is a mile and a quarter long and has a low guard wire. Russ reports this was the first year he can remember that no calves got over that cable.

Pat got this one too, his daughter Emory joined us on the trail, that’s her in the foreground.

Becca shared this picture from her vantage point, where she was guarding an approach. I don’t often see head on views of the herd and hardly ever on the dam.

Russ got this picture of the newest rider on the Bar MW trail, this is Jessie Henderson.

This picture of Russell’s features Dwayne who spent his birthday riding with us. I totally forgot about his special day at lunch.

Patrick and Emet, a picture of Russell’s. During lunch Russ was appreciating finding Emet at the right place at the right time, guarding the herd, without being asked.

At the front of our herd is our ox “Moo.” He leads the herd on many chases and Russ says after six years he knows all the routes. Russ says the old west trail bosses would have a steer who knew the way, they used them year after year. Moo is a calming influence and a good leader. He is fraternal twins with Jen’s horse Cinder.

Dwayne shared this very pretty picture of the herd on the move.

Tenley shared this momentous picture of the cows going into the pasture.

It wasn’t clear that we would have supper together but a couple delays along the trail meant the crew not getting back to the yard until right before supper. Jill and I learned this at 4pm and swung into gear. We served an easy meal and it was fun.

Maddie’s position at days end is something most of us involved could relate to I think.

Chase Season Day 3 Part 1 & 2 -2022

The Bar MW crew was on the trail in full force today. The work today actually started yesterday.

We have 110 cow calf pairs that spent the summer at the public pasture near Hirsch. The Bar MW cows shared various pastures with cows from the McNeil and Cowan ranches from May until now. Yesterday we worked together to get all these cows rounded up out of a 1600 acre area. We took them into a smaller holding pasture our friends Chad and Crystal Ross let us use overnight.

Yesterday was bright and not too windy. Gina got this cool shadow picture.

After yesterdays prep work at and from the public pasture, which took about 3.5 hours, it was quick to get the cows on the road this morning. A few factors in our favor meant a fast chase. Before 12 noon the cows were in McNeil’s pasture, the crew was in the McNeil’s yard and lunch was just about there.

It was a cloudy day but started with a warm glow of a beautiful sunrise. Jen took this selfie.

The crew left the yard at 6:05am which meant they were in the saddle already by the time the sun cracked the horizon. Jen caught this moment, sunrise glowing on Cinder’s head.

Gina sent me this picture early this morning.

The cows are in the distance, the crew is gathering, Jen grabbed this moment of mustering.

Tenley’s perspective during the mustering. Russ says at this moment Gina had advanced ahead to the herd. Her job was to sing to the cows, wake the cows up and tell the calves to get ready for their day and have a bit of a suck.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I started a 6x batch of chili. This veg base got split into 3 crockpots and then beans, onions and cooked ground beef added.

A little ways along the trail, they were able to cut cross country and Patrick caught this cool panoramic shot.

Russell took this 20 second video early on. It gives a sense of the cows and a bit of Russell’s levity.

Sharon had this view which grabs alot of action.

When riders are new to the trail it is hard to do the whole distance. Sharon got a chance to visit with our newest rider, Brooklyn, when it was her turn for a truck break.

With the crew done early we ready had to hustle at the house. Jill was my saving grace.

Packing lists and sturdy baskets are essential.

While Jill and I got lunch set up in McNeils shop some pictures got taken. This one features alot of our teen riders and a couple who are just a bit older than that.

I got summoned from the food table for “the old guys” picture.

Some of our lunch time customers. On the left side of this picture is Griffin Currie. Part way through the morning I got a text from Tenley simply saying “I nominate Griffin for cowboy of the day.” Later she told me, Griffin was the guy who headed into a swamp to make sure cows trying to get a drink got out without having trouble. I was told he had to be decisive, effective and patient and he was all that. Tenley said she and her horse could not have done it. Gina said she was warned away from it, a possibility of sinking being real. Griffin just did it.

Jen grabbed this pic of my dog customers.

Gary was thrilled by the dessert options. Due to some generous cooks four different kitchens were represented and Gary sampled them with delight.

Back at the house after lunch I sat down with coffee and a puffed wheat cake, made by Olivia, who at the age of 10 appears to have mastered a fine puffed wheat cake, many of us know, this is not easy to do.

Tomorrow morning starts with sorting cows, separating McNeil’s and Cowan’s cows from ours. It takes lots of help and co-operation, good horses and good management, and there are three ranch chiefs on hand! Then the Bar MW cows will walk another 11 miles or so to their autumn pasture. We are hopeful for sunnier skies and lighter winds. We will see what the day holds. Today held safety and good friend times. We are thankful for that.

Postcards to my Dad

Dear Dad,
As I write this postcard you have been gone from my life for a long time. It makes me happy to think that heaven is a realm of wholeness and dementia no longer has a grip on you. I don’t know how anything works in the realm beyond earthly life but I believe that love shapes everything. Is it possible for you to know whats up here in my world? I have no way of knowing. I write this for myself. When you were well if someone had shown you and I this picture and said, “here is a glimpse of the story in the future” I would have been stunned and disbelieving. I had preconceptions about cowboy life, about what it means to ranch and about what I needed. I wonder what you would have thought. I think your exposure to the humans and the action in this scene would stir pride in you. Dad, that is your grandson and he is a gem. That is the man with the courage necessary to take on, love and nurture your quite complicated daughter. That is a dog who owns a huge chunk of my heart. This picture is all about teamwork. Do I value teamwork so much because of how we did things at home? I am not sure. Thank you for everything you did to prepare me to love these men, the land, the creatures and God.

This picture could be very old, it has a timeless quality to it. It is not. It gets me thinking about what is timeless in life, what are the pieces that endure despite the rapid changes around us? A man, his horse and his dog are timeless, so is the power of kindness, humor, loyalty and compassion. You and Russell have in common the intention to practice these things. It sure has made a difference in my life and in the lives of our children. It seems to me to be the ingredients of excellent fatherhood.

Dad, Liz got this action shot of Morgan last month. He reminds me of you. Not that I EVER saw you on a horse but there is a lilt to his walk that puts me in mind of you…………how odd…..I have not seen you on your feet in 20 years. There is no doubt that genetics that stem from your being are unfolding in his life and it is exciting. You would enjoy him so much. He never knew the thrill of feeling your pride in him but I do my best to pass on and use what you taught me about how to treat people. He is catching it. You would be proud.

These pictures were taken by Liz Griffin about a month ago. We wanted to capture some of the work of calving season. Liz got some cute and pretty epic pictures that day. It is a joy to be able to share these great images and use them to process some of the thoughts I work through as life unfolds.