If you look closely at this cow you might understand why her ranch fraternity (sorority? Blankety-blank pronouns) name is "Croppy." She was born in a very cold night and distal half or so of her ears froze. You can't tell from this image but her tail was cropped by freezing as well and is only half the length of her herdmates. It ain't easy being a range cow.
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Fifteen years ago I wrote, regarding little kids at play, "They seem to know the best secret — that playing all the play from the day counts for more than anything else."
I think that's one of the universal truths so far as ape-lizards are concerned. I know that when I forget about that truth and start behaving all grownuppity the quality of my livin' suffers a lot.
In 2022 being exposed to proper play is indescribably wonderful. The livin' ain't perfect, but it's so fantastic that the grin on my face is close to unzipping my head.
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Another beautiful July morning in Nebraska. Yesterday was coolish and cloudy and without the rain promised by the nws. So it's more dry than I would like, but we don't have much choice in the matter; we take what nature delivers.
Today promises to be quite warm, though certainly not overwhelmingly so. The predicted high is 88 degrees. As I write this at local lunchtime it's a mere 82 but feels to me as if it'll easily top 90. For what it's worth, which isn't much, being mere speculation and all.
The coming weekend is predicted to be still and quite hot with temps in the upper 90's; good ol' July weather conditions. It's certainly been warmer around these parts; IIRC the historic July high for Kimball was 110 back in the 1930's.
With a universal truth singing in my heart I can actually properly experience and appreciate the wonder and awe of one of nature's creatures, the nighthawk.
No grownup can make one of those, and no grownup will ever be able to make one.
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Here's the garden update.
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And an update to the garden update. Alex planted these lilies. They're the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen.
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Be well and embrace the blessings of liberty.
When was "Croppy's" picture taken. Looks like she still has her winter coat.
ReplyDeleteYesterday morning. Despite my complaining about hot and dry it was slow to warm up this spring and we had hard freezes in late May, so the cows are not quite slicked up yet. But they're getting there. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Frank!
DeleteSEVEN!
ReplyDeleteYeah, what WSF asked?
Beautiful flowers indeed. Special.
John Blackshoe.
Thanks John. A week of blogging. I'm not sure what I think about that or what to say about that. Something in my head is finally getting right or something. Some of the things I couldn't do for a while I can now do again. Livin' is an awesome mystery and a lot of stuff I'll just never know.
DeleteIn addition to the late warmup these cattle haven't had a lot of rubbing opportunities this spring. When their undercoat sheds off they like to rub on trees and in short order have it all slicked off, but with no trees it tends to clump in the guard coat and they look a bit wooly. Another week or so and it'll all be gone, just about the time the undercoat starts growing back in for the coming winter. Days are getting shorter and I'm seeing (but not yet hearing) crickets. The days roll along and the seasons keep on turning.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!