Weather: Strong NW to SW winds all night and into day bringing both drifting and snow melting/settling temperatures.
EG (8): Third split in EG-7. Some of the cows wanting to shelter out of the wind we kicked up on the new feed. Little more condition slippage for the younger cattle. Dana and I met Will and Moria in Billings for dinner-tomorrow they fly back to Connecticut. More wind as we returned home in the evening.
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Weather: Mostly calm with cold moderating over the day.
EG (8): Mid-day move all so according to plan. Over the last two days: harrier; prairie falcon; merlin; and Rough Legged hawks. Weather: Not a gentle day. SW winds to NW winds, snow, and some overnight drifting were not so welcome.
EG (6-8): Cow break out into paddock-actually 2 paddocks including the winter facility late afternoon. My sweat had worked through 4 layers by the time Carlyle, and I got everyone captured into a contained space. I sort of lost it yet persisted to get what needed to be done and accepting it for what it was-NO CHECK FENCE!? On way to town for Foundation meeting spotted two jack rabbits-a bit uncommon of late. Weather: A gentle day. Not too much edge discomfort.
EG (6): Moria helped with the cow move in the afternoon and captured some wonderful photos Weather: Enough wind to warm things up without too much drifting.
EG (6): One move. Cows hitting the beef pro harder than usual. Ryan and Will bag a big bull in Little Switzerland just a mile or so from the headquarters. Hard to believe. Easily over 300 plus horned larks along road from headquarters to cows. Weather: Sub-zero in morning and SW winds pick up in the afternoon bring a little moderation. Winds are a double edge sword. Without the winds no warming-with some pain maybe some gain. We will see.
EG (6): Changing our plan to single moves. Cows’ kind of stable. Moria and Dana knock out some needed firewood. Ryan and Will on the hunt for a couple of big bull elk hanging in Little Switzerland. In 1978 the winter began like this on almost the same day-warm quickly turns to heavy snow, then some slight warming melt, and then cold returns and never leaves. It did not turn out well. Weather: Snow and cold is here.
EG (6): Still moving 2x but going is tough. Cows have escaped twice and once in a big way. Quickly corrected thanks to help from dogs. Max is a bit out of control, but the cows are learning it is not useful to resist his pressure. Escapes are clearly unforced errors on my part, though it would be easy to unfairly inflict frustration, momentary anger, and false blame on someone else, yet that would just yield more frustration, anger, and wasted time. This is the way to respond: DO NOT THROW FUEL ON THE FIRE. ASSESS AND ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAPPENED AND RESPOND. DON’T BLAME YOURSELF OR OTHERS. LEARN AND MOVE ON. FOLLOW PROTOCOL. CHECK PERIMETER FENCE WHEN MOVING TO NEW PADDOCK; ALWAYS HAVE A BACK FENCE; CHECK THE HEAT; MOVE THROUGH A GATE (NOT OVER WIRE); HAVE BACK UP BATTERIES ON THE READY. KEEP THINKING AHEAD-ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS AND ADAPT. Oh, and Moria and Will have arrived. Weather: Snow and colder coming.
EG (6): Move 2x. Covered water housings with straw and draining tanks. Light snow falling as we retire for the night. Weather: Wind moderates and temperature slowly drops
EG (6): Carlyle is back as we made two more moves. Shorter days may put a crimp in the twice daily moves. Weather: Goofy crazy winds all day.
EG (6): Feels right to be back to twice a day moves. Mountain wind wipes clean Nothing changes everything changes To whom do I bow? My dear Zen teacher Layla (Gyokujun Teishin-Pure Forge Constant Heart) passed across today surrounded by special ceremonies, sitting, and chanting from members of the SFZC and Mountain Source Zen Communities. |
Bill Milton
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