Today in the BEEF Daily, Amanda Radke shared with readers her passion for Faith, Family and Farming. In her post she asks, "How many “chore-helpers” did your parents have? What was it like growing up on your farm or ranch?" Since I am running low on creativity this week (my brain is tapped from wedding planning) I am answering her in this post.
Although we never had cows to check or feed routes to run, my brother and I have always been an intricate part of the work force on the Buzzard ranch. Every morning when we were little, bucket calves and show pigs had to be fed before we could eat breakfast or go to school. Dad fed the horses for us, since we were only about 4 ft tall and couldn't throw hay up into the feeders without spilling it everywhere.
At night, we'd do the chores before Dad got home. That involved feeding and watering all of the roping cattle, show animals and horses (although Dad still fed the hay). In the winter, we'd help him blanket horses at night so they wouldn't get too cold. In addition to feeding, pig-pens and horse stalls had to be cleaned and filled with clean bedding. When we were little, it seemed like a daunting task but as we grew older we realized that our parents had established in us a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility for ourselves and our livestock.
I don't have a picture of us doing chores - so this will have suffice.
I attribute a lot of my determination and work ethic to those early years while trudging through snow to carry grain or water. Thanks Mom and Dad, for making me do those chores! When I'm not at home I really miss feeding the animals, cleaning stalls and riding. When we get back from Australia, rest assured I'll have my horses in MHK with me.
Have a safe and blessed New Year! See you in 2011!
Until next year,
~ Buzzard ~Labels: family, farming
