Well, it’s a rainy, wet and sodden day here on Circle S Farms. We begged and prayed for rain so long for the past few months and now it seems as if God has opened the heavens and we are drenched.
We were concerned about our big black cows as the grass was not growing enough to make the hay and fodder for all the big bovines to munch on. And there are so many babies being born this spring, the grasslands are so needed.
We were sitting in our favorite place, on our big back porch, late one evening and right across the fence, right behind our little red horse barn, we saw one of the big mama cows giving birth to a small black baby with a white face. It is still as if I am somehow privy to a miracle.
Those mamas are so territorial when it comes to getting close to their offspring. I remember once when a baby had fallen into a water-filled ditch and my husband began to help the young calf to freedom. The mama charged him with her head down and nostrils flaring. It didn’t take him long to retreat to the pickup.
We had a new baby born several months ago and the mama fell into a ditch and drowned. We tried to get a new mama to feed the orphan, but no, so my grandson bottle fed her for several months. Every new mama knows her baby just like we know our babies.
My grandmother had a milk cow, only one, when I was growing up and I was so afraid of her. I watched her milk the old cow and how Bossy just stood there and was so complacent. She would aways ask me if I wanted to milk the big cow and my answer was always “No.”
Now, after living out here on the farm for several years, the many black cows are not as scary to me. I can walk in and out of their feeding grounds and territory without wanting to defend myself — that is, unless I reach to pat or touch her baby. My granddaughter, Emmie Jo, just goes out riding her four-wheeler all around them and they never stop their munching.
I told my husband that sometimes being out here on the farm makes me feel rather sad for all the young kids that have never have the chance to have someone with a farm and be introduced to life on a working ranch and farm. There are so many wonders and good things that take place every day out here.
Just come on down and see how good it is and let’s sit on the back parch and have that glass of sweet tea.
Our squash is coming in by the bagsful and we love this vegetable. My husband loves it sliced thin and fried with fish seasoning, but I’d rather have it fixed the following way.
Cut up as many squash as you think you will need — remember, they are water-filled so they will cook down. Cook a piece of bacon and one chopped onion in a skillet until tender and then add your cup of squash. Brown on both sides and turn on simmer. Let simmer for an hour. Season with salt and pepper.
