The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

The country is taking steps to open our doors. I believe it is a good decision and necessary to help us get over the changes we have lived through. Change can be a good thing under the right circumstances, but experiencing so many changes in just a few months certainly creates questions for what the future will hold. We as a ranching/farming family have not noticed a great deal of change in our daily lives, mostly we question what our crops and livestock's value will be in the Fall.

Today we did the usual gathering of our broodmares and foals in preparation for new pasture and turning our stallion out with them. It was a beautiful day with green pastures and beautiful, fat and sassy horses. We catch each horse, check for ticks, worm them, and trim hooves as needed, or doctored minor injuries. All the horses were great with only a few mishaps, thanks to our exceptional help. Our daughter, Raynee, oversees the operation and had help from our neighbors, Traci, Kyle, Kayla and Quinn Rodewald, Sandee Tebeau, and of course, Mom and Dad. We enjoy seeing the new foals, looking over the mares, and deciding or guessing which mare will foal next. We have a few more "ladies in waiting," but they should not have long to wait! Our mares and foals are now in a pasture close to the house. It paints a beautiful picture on an early morning walk. The foals, like all baby animals, are so entertaining and fun to watch playing their horse games, bucking, kicking, cavorting, and racing as fast as their young legs will carry them. Generally, with their dam running to catch up and keep their baby in line and safe. They are all thoroughly enjoying the warm sunshine and green grass, a nice change from the last two years foaling in snow and mud.

This year we have a variety of babies to enjoy, calves, foals, chicks, guinea chicks, kittens, puppies, and today an alpaca. I appreciate having the time to enjoy and experience raising them all. Socializing with them is quite simple, with no worries about masks, sanitizers, or staying 6 feet apart! Change is in the air, God Bless the U.S.A., and forward we go to our new normal!