Just 3 Things | #33

I've been on the go this week. Tuesday found me at physical therapy, running errands, and perusing the thrift store. Wednesday was a day sharing a long lunch with a friend. Thursday found me back at physical therapy and helping the Mister a bit serving as a shuttle bus to get him from one tractor to the other for his hay harvesting tasks. Hay time always seems a bit frenzied. There are a lot of moving parts and pieces of equipment involved; there's concerns about keeping all the equipment in working order, and the weather plays a major role, as well. Throw all that in with his other responsibilities and things can get a bit harried. Friday takes me to my regular hair cut appointment and my first bone density test. 

- What I've Been Working On -

This has been a week when my spare minutes were spent doing volunteer secretarial duties. Since I was on the go a lot, I just fitted in chores and tasks whenever I could. My secretarial duties include documenting and filing paperwork to keep the cemetery records up to date for the Mister who is the Cemetery Manager. There were requests for family transfer forms which had to be mailed out. There were requests for copies of certificates of ownership. There were a couple of burials to record. These sorts of tasks are simply a way of documenting and recording who is laid to rest there in the cemetery and who has purchased burial lots. There's not really much excitement in this sort of work but it is something I know how to do, so I figure it is my way of serving and supporting the community as well as my husband. 

- What I've Been Reading -

I picked up a beach read a couple of weeks ago when the Kindle Daily Deals message landed in my inbox. I picked it up for less than five dollars. I really enjoy these offerings and it has some good options from time to time. My Kindle Library is pretty full right now because of the choices that deal message brings to me. 

Beach House Rules

I started reading it a couple of days ago and am almost finished with it. This book has really made me think about how there is so much gossip in a small town - probably not more than what is in a big city but it is just more concentrated because of the smallness of population. The main character's husband is arrested for a white collar crime and their storyline becomes small town focus. 

I've also been thinking about how the choices and behavior of members of our family can have an impact on us even though we might not have a connection to to their choices and behaviors and may not even have any idea about those things. Yet, it tends to color other people's perspective. I am guilty of using that sameness or guilt by association train of thought at times. Kristy Woodson Harvey is a good storyteller and I'm looking forward to seeing how she resolves this one.

- What I've Been Loving -

The Mister will frequently take a ride up the hill in the afternoon to visit with the grandchildren who live next door. This summer the boys are working with show steers and heifers. They spend time training the calves to becoming comfortable with a halter around their head. Then, they train them to lead like a dog on a leash. Then, they work with them to know where to place their feet so that it is most becoming to their physique. It's a process! 

Then, there's a whole commitment to having fluffy, thick, luscious hair on these animals. Ladies, don't even think you can hold a candle to these animals when it comes to hair care. Each day there is a rinse.

 Then, there a comb out. Next, comes the blow out before there is a conditioning spray followed by a diligent brushing and setting. 

The blow out is calculated to make certain the hair is moving in the right direction.

Spray on conditioner to make the hair glow and shine, yet, still be soft and fluffy.

Brush the hair to bring out the oils in the skin and blend with the conditioner for shine.

Style and set the hair to help build the illusion of a strong, wide, meaty back.

This is hair care on another level. There are also fans blowing to keep the temperature cool. (Some fancier operations will have a 'cooler room' where the animal stands in air conditioned chill to mimic winter and encourage hair growth.)

Each animal also has a practice session where they are being trained to walk slowly and deliberately and respond to the gentle tugs and stops prompted by the person on the other end of the halter.

The animals become accustomed to little sisters running round, dogs barking, vehicles running, people making different noises. The training is as comprehensive as possible to make certain that the animal will remain docile, responsive to the leader's touch, and look his or her best.

One afternoon I took a ride up the hill and made some observations and captured a few photos. I asked questions and got some in-depth answers about the training process - both the training process for behavior and the process for coat and hair care. As I was watching, I marveled at the patience that the boys showed while working with the animals. It was interesting to see how Levi approached and worked with the younger animals who have just begun the journey of learning to wear the halter and respond to human interaction.

He carefully eased up to the calf and took a moment or two to just stand and let him become comfortable with the presence of a human holding the rope. Then, he spoke quietly and gently to him to give him some reassurance that all is well. 

He rubbed on the calf and embraced him a bit to let him know that no harm is intended and it will be a working relationship. 

Then, Levi gave a gentle tug and the animal took a few steps and Levi repeated that tug and respond routine until the calf had made a lap around the stall. That was it for the first lesson. The young trainer was pleased with the response and how smoothly it seemed to work for the first session. It was a beautiful dance to watch!

That particular afternoon, the other young trainer was rinsing and cleaning and cooling the animals at the wash 'parlor.' You'd think that the animals would jolt at the first spray of the cold water but these animals had enough experience that they stood perfectly still and even seemed to enjoy the spraying and scrubbing and rubbing during the rinse. There was a flicker of the ears or a swish of the tail but that was about it.

Easton took it slow and easy and gave each calf a thorough rinse, scrub, and rub down. He moved slowly and steadily so as not to startle the calf, yet, still was meticulous in covering all the real estate on each animal.

Then, he took his time and slowly led each one back into the barn to await their hair salon appointment. These are animals weighing between one and two thousand pounds and have massive strength. Yet, they have developed that working relationship between these boys who are barely into double digits in age. I just see so much good coming from this endeavor and I love that they have these opportunities. The guys are learning to work together as a team to get chores done. They are learning responsibility to one another and for an animal who is totally dependent upon them. They are becoming more tenacious and dedicated to a commitment. They are learning the value of daily involvement and hard work. They are developing patience and strength and strength of character. It was really an awesome thing to watch and is such a good thing.

Well, it was a busy week but not really much exciting went down. Since the Mister is wrapping up the first hay harvest and that is kind of an energy sapper, we are both pretty much looking forward to a quiet weekend, I think. May your weekend be full of rejuvenation!