My time on the Drift: Thankful for the good people

We are blessed with a growing family and that makes ranch life wonderful and at times a bit more difficult. It also tests your ability and creative ingenuity at times. You learn to do many things with one hand as the other holds a toddler's hand or holds the new baby. You also find ways to get needed work done within nap times which can last 5 minutes or 2 hours and stay home while others work.

This year, my Mom and I took turns between watching the kids and moving cattle. There is no good way to take two young children riding, so I relied on friends and family to help us get work done. This made the blog shorter as well, as I'm sure you noticed. I'm sure as the years go on and the kids get older we will have more stories of their journey with us. Our lifestyle gives us the opportunity to rely on others like nothing else I've experienced. Always willing to lend a hand or come to your aid, good people like this make life richer and a job easier.

I can remember many times that a neighbor came to lend a hand, right at the exact moment when help was needed the most. This is either divine timing or very watchful, keen eyes of our friends. Regardless, it makes this busy time of the year easier in many ways. I have no doubt that in the future we will ask more of our friends and family, but I also know that they would be offended if we didn't. We are an interesting mix of an open book and also fiercly private, but the one thing I can guarentee is our dedication and loyalty to eachother. For everyone who helped us in some way this year, thank you!

As I write this, we have enjoyed a bit of time off from waking up at 3:00 AM and riding, but the work doesn't end. We are now upgrading the power to the ranch as well as getting ready to hay. Because of the drought, we will start haying about a month early from what we normally do since the river is so low. We aren't the only ones feeling the strain of planning for the unknown, but even in our unity it doen't ease anyone's mind. My husband and I will help our range rider, Callie, move the cattle and find kills when we can on the summer allotment and complete an NRCS fencing project we have lined out. I love the summers, but they are gone before you can really enjoy them it seems like. The key is to enjoy every day in some way instead of waiting for time off. There is definetly beauty and joy in each day if we decide to look for it. That goes for the land and people.