The Wagon

    You can learn many things from the back of a hay wagon. I've learned so many things over the years. I've also thought about many things while pitching hay to cows. I even wrote a song (that no one will ever hear) and now I write blog posts in my head to share with you later.

    I think more people should feed cows with square bales. Not the little ones, that's just crazy talk. Trust me I know all about feeding 10 tons per day of small squares for a month straight. The feeding isn't the tough part, it's the loading and the miles and miles of baling twine you have to deal with. Although, now that I think about it, I lost some weight and had some pretty nice guns (biceps in case you were wondering). Maybe it wasn't so bad.......

    As I've said before, on my first ranch experience, I pitched hay while the Cowboy drove. I was too afraid of getting the tractor stuck or going the wrong way where there wasn't a crossing. Besides, I had coffee to drink and cigarettes to smoke, I couldn't be bothered with driving. So I rode on the back, sitting on the hay, surrounded by dogs and had the view of a lifetime. I got to know "my" cows, and then eventually their calves from the back of the wagon.

    I talk to myself constantly while I'm feeding. I'm terrible. Even when there's people around to talk to, I still catch myself talking to myself. I solve the world's problems on a hay wagon. Most recently I was going through a checklist in my head of things that needed to be done before this weekend's trade show. Which pictures to take, what new ones needed to be matted, and names for some of them to keep them all straight. 

    The newest development that has happened involving a hay wagon is this, my 2 year old. She loves to drive. She puts her blue bear (that she goes no where without, they're BFF's for sure) either on the dash---so he can "watch cows Momma" or under her arm---so "blue drive Momma". She takes her job very seriously too, well most of the time. When she's not playing in the front seat or turning on the radio, she does a very good old lady farmer drive. You know creeping along, one arm out the window, little hands on a giant steering wheel, and sitting on her feet so she can see out the window. When you yell for her to start turning, you never know which way she's going to go, but afterwards she does ask, "Good Daddy? Good Momma?"

    Another new for me is actually talking to another person. Since we now have a trained professional behind the wheel, both the Cowboy and I can be pitching hay. Like I said, it's hard to break old habits and actually talk to a person. It is nice though.

    Here are some of the more important things I've learned.....

 1) When the wagon is empty, just stay on the wagon. You have to close the gates anyway. It's too much effort to climb all the way back in the truck or tractor. Save your energy. Remember, it's still early.

 2)When you ride on an empty wagon, sit to the front. There's a minefield of fozen cow turds out there and if you hit them while sitting on the back, you'll get ejected. Trust me on this one, live and learn.

 3)If you're the one driving. Don't try to be helpful. Don't stop and start 50,000 times just because a flake of hay didn't hit the ground. Just drive. Try to avoid the minefields. That's all I ask of you.

 4)If there's a missing board on the hay wagon that you've been stepping around all winter because you know it's there, don't assume anyone else knows it's there. While this does make for a good laugh for you, it doesn't always translate well to the other person. So tell them ahead of time. In my case, it was my dear Cowboy (that didn't listen to me when I told him about it in the first place, so I did laugh.....very loudly for a long time).

 5)Don't worry if it takes you a while, eventually you'll get your "wagon" legs. You'll start off looking like a toddler that can't stay upright, but have no fear, you'll get there. Soon you'll be jumping around that hay like a barn cat, all while the wagon is moving. Only when your husband stomps on the breaks and then yells, "oops, sorry" will you be thrown off the wagon. It's ok though, because then you're already on the ground and you can get to the truck door faster before he locks it for fear of his life.

 6)When you're sitting on top of a few tons of hay while it lumbers along, just breath. Listen to the crunch of the snow, the creaks and squeaks of the wagon, and the livestock as they come to greet you. Watch the hawk soaring high above you, the calves jump and play at the back of the herd, and the sway of the wagon that ambles along like an eight month pregnant woman. Remember all these wonderful things.......because at some point it will be below zero and snow sideways. Something has to get you through!

Comments

[Lana Rowley]

Wonderful... i could not agree more! I love to see the sheep each day and listen and watch them. I always see deer or hawks or just a lovely day :)

[Farmchick]

Very good advice!!! Come join in my photo Friday link up!!!

[Lori]

I love your number 6...just breathe...I feel the same way when I'm out checking the maternity pen at night...a million stars, northern lights, mama cow making those soft little mooing sounds to her newborn calf, another one safely on the ground!! Just breathe!! And then back to my bed for another quick nap before it's time to check again...