I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

One of the things my father loved to do was spend time on the water.  He liked to swim, ski, fish and just float down the river on our pontoon boat with the whole family.

It has been so pretty today, all I could think of was that he probably would have wanted to have spent Father’s Day…on the river.  Mater of fact I am sure we would have spent many, many weekends at the river.

If you know me, or have read my blog for a while, you know my father passed away when I was three years old.  I can hardly talk about him to someone who doesn’t know that…. until I tell them.

Why?  I’m not really sure, I suppose it is because I know that…. how he died… is just as important about his character, as how he lived.

I have asked people in the last few years if they would write down whatever memories they have of my Daddy.  I wondered why I waited so long to ask people about him.  Then it occurred to me that while my mother was alive she filled in those gaps.  She gave us stories here and there.

My neighbor and close friend of my Daddy’s wrote me a letter one day with some beautiful memories.  My Daddy’s brother and Sister have also shared some precious memories of him with me lately.  They have even sent a few pictures of him as a child that I have never seen before.  What a gift!

My father drowned as he attempted to rescue three people from a boating accident.  He didn’t hesitate to help.   The shirt he removed had rips at the buttons where he jerked it off.

The actions he took that day changed my life forever.

He will always have my utmost love and respect.

I have been reading through the chapter of Matthew.  I read this a few days ago and it has been on my mind ever since.

Matthew 19:19( KJV )    

19  Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

It seems I can’t even think about my Father or Mother without honoring them.  I have been so very blessed with such amazingly brave parents.

This was in my Scripture reading yesterday….

Matthew 22:37-39

King James Version (KJV)

Last evening I went to feed Tug and check on the girls.  Everyone was grazing happily.  The evening was so pleasant that I decided to just hang around and watch them.  I love sitting with them in the pasture…especially in the cool of the evening.  There is just something so relaxing about it.  I suppose I stayed about an hour….but just before I left I noticed Cupid suddenly stopped eating.  She stood still and just stared out into space.  I continued to watch.  She stood for about 5 minutes and then she slowly started walking away from the herd.  ALRIGHTY….I thought….maybe she is finally going into labor.

She found her a little spot and stood for a while….then she laid down. It is funny though….they look to see if you are looking at them.  She was at a distance…and I just watched from afar.  However she would turn around….and take a peek at me….I would quickly turn my head as if I wasn’t.  I was just trying to see if she was really in labor or resting.

Poor Billy….he gets a lot of weird text messages and phone calls.  I update him on all the happenings with the animals.  I called and told him I would be a little longer…I was pretty sure Cupid was in labor.  I never did see the birthing bubble, but she sure was uncomfortable.  She would turn and twist around like she was trying to help get the baby into position.  Darkness set in around me, so I hesitantly drove home.  I know that these cows don’t usually need my help….but it sure is hard to walk away for the night….not knowing if she would be alright or not.  She gave birth last year just fine….so I tried to remember that all night long.  Besides….I wasn’t even sure….that it was indeed labor.

This morning….well you know me….and you know that as soon as my eyes opened I jumped to my feet with anticipation.  I tried to be calm….I dressed and got my cup of coffee.  Billy knew….”You going to check on your Mama Cow” ?  Oh…Yeah….I sure am.  As I was heating water for Tugs bottle….I saw that Billy was about ready to walk out the door too.  What’s on your schedule?…. I asked.  I’m going with you….       That always makes me smile!

So we took a few things in preparation for possibly having to help her calve if she hadn’t already.

What a pleasant surprise….Mama and baby in the field doing fine!!!!!  Now that is the way you hope to find all your cows after they give birth.

Billy fed tug for me…and I ran to get a bucket of sweet feed for Mama.  I like to treat the Mama’s for a job well done after they deliver.

And hopefully it builds trust with the girls that we are not going to hurt their babies.  While they eat their feed we can usually get to the baby and see what sex it is.

Mama still is very protective of her young…so we have to do it with caution.  Billy said….well,  you’ve got your self a GIRL!!!!!

We stood back and watched Mama and baby interact.  I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she didn’t have any trouble.  I just felt like something was wrong.  I told Billy.  You know….that sure is a little calf for her to have been SO big.  Cupid is not a huge cow, she is on the short side.  So anytime she is pregnant she REALLY looks pregnant.  I have been hoping she would have her baby for at least three weeks now.  I didn’t want her to get an ounce bigger.  She was just HUGE.  You know as they say…BIG AS A BARREL.

We were just relieved that Mama and baby were fine.

Billy said…well, this is good….now I can go on about my day as planned.

Me…well, I just couldn’t shake that feeling.  I told him…I think I better look around…I can’t help but think there might have been two in there.  Besides she had a set of twins once before.

I drove around the part of the pasture I had left her in last night.  Nothing.  I was about to leave….when I decided to check out one more spot.  I rounded the corner and saw a black blob.  OH….my heart sank.

I drove closer….and a little ear moved!  I jumped off the 4 wheeler and got a closer look.  I started calling Billy’s phone.  And yes, I had the camera….so I took these pics…while waiting for Billy to answer.

WOW….can your believe it?  AND….it is another GIRL!!!!!

I rubbed her to stimulate her.  She tried to stand….but was too weak.

Meanwhile….I’m still trying to reach Billy.  No answer….over and over again….no answer.  I drove to the front gate and spoke to my neighbor.  He came over with his gator….(4 wheel kind of vehicle).  He went with me to the back pasture.  We picked her up and placed her in the bed of this vehicle.  I sat in the back with her…rubbing her and encouraging her to hang in there.  We placed her in the pavilion area.  I headed off to find Billy and grab tugs bottle.

I quickly warmed water in the microwave.  I tried again to call Billy.  All of a sudden I could hear a phone ringing.  It was laying on the counter.  No wonder I couldn’t reach him.  I drove further on the land until I found him.  He had the bottle with him.  I said…..hey…you’re missing it.   We have another baby!  We have a TWIN!!!!!

I got home with the bottle….finished mixing the colostrum and headed to the farm.  Billy went with me… 🙂

She seemed very thirsty.  We do not know how long she has been born.  Colostrum is important those first few hours for survival.

She tried to stand.  It took a time or two…but she was able to stand for about 30 seconds.  She did this a couple of times.  It seems her back right leg doesn’t want to cooperate.  However,  I remember that Lucy’s leg did the same thing.  (Lucy was the runt goat that we had to nurse back to health).

I called my brother who has had cattle for years.  Told him all that has transpired this morning.  He said to just keep doing what I’ve been doing.  Massaging and stimulating her, especially those extremities.

I suppose that is why Mama walked off and left her.  Maybe she didn’t think she would live.  Maybe she won’t….but I am going to give her the best chance I can.

Well, I’ve given her a break for a little while.  Now I am off to check on her again.  It is my hope that she will be just fine and that her Mama will let her nurse.  We will see.

Well, I haven’t written in over a week.  Things are so busy around here….and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I love to have lots of things going on all around me.

For Mother’s Day we all got together here at the land and enjoyed a meal after church.

There wasn’t much picture taking since I was hosting.  I was able to get this is one of some of the group coming back from a walk.

Unfortunately that was not everyone…but at least I got a few.  There were Mother’s of all ages in attendance.  Some celebrating 60+ years of Motherhood and one that celebrated her very first Mother’s day.

After we all hugged and parted ways….. Billy and I went to feed Tug and check on the girls.

A surprise was waiting for us…..

Brandy had delivered a baby girl!!!!!!

She is always a good Mama….

She is very protective though….she really keeps her eye on that baby.

She did let the other babies hang out with them.  I like that these three babies are born so close together.  They will probably grow up to be close to one another.  The baby on the far left is TUG…the one in the middle is REY.

We haven’t really decided what to call this baby girl….so I will fill you in on that when it is official.

Meanwhile, it has been fun watching the Mama’s be Mama’s.  They are neat to watch as they nurture their young.

This is Punkin and Rey…snuggling just like humans do…..

When they are first born….they hang  really close to their Moms…

slowly the babies check out the pasture…watching the birds and sniffing the flowers.  Quickly scampering back to mom with any new noise or quick movement.

About a week or so after birth you can get a glimpse of them running and playing through the field like little kids.   Confidence builds a little more each day.

Although they venture out….it isn’t too far from Mama….

I took this picture yesterday….and you can see that she has already grown a lot.

I love seeing the Mama’s and babies enjoying time together….the way it should be.

Brandy had a GREAT mother’s day this year….and she made mine a little more special too!