Tag Archives: Pony Hill Ranch

It’s my birthday. But on the Ranch, birthdays are just another day. The cows don’t stop eating, the water doesn’t change itself and the bulls need to be turned out.

It’s ok, because the older I get, I find myself caring less and less about the dreaded annual event (except the cake part, I like that part).  Anyway, when my Dad asked if I could work cattle on my birthday, I was actually kind of excited about it. I figured, ‘hey, maybe I’ll get another promotion or something! It’s my birthday!’

The day started out early. I was supposed to spend the night on the summer ranch last night, but I managed to be so busy during that day, by the time I was done with all my chores it was going to be dark when I finally arrived in the mountains. And since I am the only child, my Parents tend to mitigate any extra risk they can, driving up the curvy, mountain highway in the dark is considered risky and frowned upon, hence I got to wake up in my own bed on my birthday!!!!

The cattle moved beautifully.

This ended up being a great thing because Daniel was able to come with me this morning. After I trotted over to the big house to wake my Mom and and get my cowdogs (I also got awesome presents! I love presents!!), Daniel brought me a Starbucks. All the way from town. It was glorious. I had Mom presents (plus my Mom is super crafty, so part of it was homemade with love and thought), and Starbucks, I cried. I swear, I cried tears of joy.

My birthday present to myself was this blue, under armour hoodie (I LOVE IT. IT IS THE BEST HOODIE EVER).

Daniel and I woke up before dawn (he had to wake up earlier to get coffee and drive out to the Ranch), drove a hour and half (with Starbucks!), and went to work. Did I mention it was freezing up there? It’s amazing how different the climate in California can be.

Early morning board meeting with my Dad. I just love our conference room.

This was the first time poor Daniel had ever worked cattle with my Dad and I. I think it was the first time he ever worked cattle. Oh, did I mention he is a recent law school graduate? And just took the bar? I think this proves my theory that the stress of law school will prepare you for anything. He was a natural.

Even MY dog Hoot followed Daniel.

We have a  wonderful corral that Dr. Temple Grandin influenced heavily. It’s so much easier to work with the cattle now, and we need 3 people (sometimes 2!) instead of a big crew, thus lessening cattle stress even more. However, I made a mistake. Since the paradigm shifted and Daniel was now the one important not to get hurt (he is house counsel, can’t break him!), I got demoted from my normal job. Demoted on my birthday. Sigh.

I was the “pusher inner” today. The one that gets behind the calves to push them into the chute. These “babies” have me out-weighed by a hundred plus pounds. They handed my ass to me today. (This was my view today)

The job thief being thiefy. (Also notice the skinny jeans? Wrangler will be releasing that line soon, I just know it).

We finished up with no cow, dog or person getting hurt.  Then in the best birthday move ever – my Parents gave me a couple cows to sell.

Yellow slips, we fill these out anytime an animal leaves the ranch. When a cow is sold, the person’s name on the bottom right gets the check! My name went there today, yay! Happy birthday indeed! I’ll invest this back into the Ranch in the form of heritage piglets! Pork!

After working all day, and working hard! I would post pictures of my bruises, but trust me, you don’t wanna see that. We drove the hour and a half home to the Valley and Daniel took me to my favorite Mexican restaurant for a margarita and dinner. I got so much love on my social media.  It was a good day. Thanks friends (also I am exhausted and feel old, lol).

Food of the Gods.