Farmhand in Training

Let me tell you what’s been up this week with the new farmhand (uh, that would be me)…..

On Monday (day 1) the Cowboy and I had to go to the Rancher’s office and catch up on some paperwork. After all that catching up, we picked up some pieces of equipment and headed out to the Western Edge. I’m apparently not as low-maintenance as I thought….I have some requirements. There are certain things that must be satisfied: the food (and drink) issue, oh yeah, and the whole bathroom thing….it’s possible that I take more breaks than I should (????) The Cowboy isn’t used to having me around all day with him and I accused him of liking the idea of me. He might be of the opinion that a wife as a farmhand is good… in theory. This new arrangement is going to take some "gittin’ used to"….on both our parts. Day 1 didn’t require too much from me, though…a lot of standing around and listening. I’m learning some stuff, let me tell you. First thing I’ve learned: Every task takes way longer than I think it should.

Day 2..Tuesday. A farm equipment auction. Are you serious??!! It’s 90 degrees already!! We didn’t have the address where the auction was being held, but that minor detail has never hampered the Cowboy’s processes. We just headed east…..he knew we’d get there on time. I know never to doubt those instincts…he always finds what he’s looking for. The location of the auction looked like a dealership for used pick-up trucks. We had to park along the road…no big deal. We walked up just as the auctioneer began the bidding on the very first item…perfect timing, of course. I got our bidder number and gave it to the Cowboy. I wandered around aimlessly. I don’t know what’s junk and what isn’t…I could be easily tricked. … “look dear, I bought these pretty wrenches for $200…each. The auctioneer said they were made in Taiwan… they’re imports…like important.” Yeah, I better stay away from bidding. We didn’t buy anything or stay long.

We ate dinner (lunch) at the general store diner…good food, interesting atmosphere. There weren’t very many people there…must’ve been at the auction. There were a couple local farmers that Cowboy knew. They talked with the Cowboy about weather and politics. I ate heartily….I’m a farmhand now and I have to eat to keep my strength up. The special: Barbequed chicken thigh, baked potato, corn, bread & butter, strawberry shortcake, iced tea in a quart mason jar. The Cowboy shared some of his fried zucchini with me…(my recipe’s better. hehe)

After dinner (lunch) we had to mend some fence that the cows had messed up. The poor things… the pasture is “gettin’ burnt up” from a lack of rain…(no beneficial rain since the 4th of July weekend) and the creatures were getting hungry. They had ssss-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-ddd the fence trying to reach the wrapped hay bales that were nearby. So Cowboy put one of the huge bales in the pasture with them. They ate while he fixed fence.

The Cowboy looked down at my sandals and said, “Didn’t you bring boots?”

“No,” I replied, thinking that boots would have looked silly with my khaki capris. I knew what he meant and I felt stupid for not being prepared. It’s not like I just fell off the haywagon…I just wasn’t thinking. It’s summer and it’s hot…so…

Then he looked at my feet again….maybe he was hoping that my sandals would morph into boots…no luck. Oh, well.

My important task was to take the gator up to the barn and get a chainsaw and bolt cutters. Oh no! There were 3 chainsaws!!!! Ok, he told me which one….remember!! remember!! I remembered. whew!! Feeling pretty proud of myself for completing the task, I didn’t pay attention when a small bundle of wire bounced out of the gator on the way back down to the pasture.

“Where’s the wire?” asked the Inquisitor.

“Uhhhhh,” was all I could think of. Deer in the headlights, baby! That’s what I'm sayin'!!

He graciously took the blame saying it could have bounced out when he was driving down to the pasture. No, I think it was my fault. After we (hahaha “we”) fixed the fence, we drove around looking for the wire bundle. Found it!! He would have found it later anyway when he bush-hogged the weeds down and tore something up when he hit it….then he would’ve had to fire me…worse farmhand ever.

Cowboy informed me that the cows have to be moved to another pasture...and I'm going to be on horseback (oh, my!!) unless I want to chase them on foot. We won't have the help of the gorgeous cowgirls this time. Cowboy calls these girls the Girls from Snowy River...they can sure ride---straight down a steep ravine...thorntrees, sawbriars and all ---in shorts and flip-flops. I am so jealous!!