Ranch Wife's Slant

Category: My Columns

  • Second-Guessing Season

    This column was originally published March 26, 2014 It’s March, and calving time, which means we are currently in the season of second-guessing. March definitely lives up to its reputation around here as being erratic between my husband’s last minute mind-changing and my constant second-guessing what he wanted me to do. During these transition months…

  • Making the Cut

      This column was originally published July 23, 2014 I’m sure that the quilt pattern “Drunkard’s Path” was named after my hay cutting. When I windrow, my main focus is to keep the windrower’s header held straight so that the edge of the cut hay looks straight and not like a hacksaw blade edge on…

  • Cow-Moving Communication during Mayem Moments

      This column was originally published September 10, 2014 Whether it’s a determined lead cow wanting to veer the herd in the wrong direction, through the trees, or straight ahead when we want them to turn, reliable communication is helpful because cows, trees, and rocky canyons complicate the process. Our family likes knowing what’s going…

  • The Farm or Ranch Wife: Also Known As “Parts Runner”

      This column was originally published July 30, 2014 The act of a farmer or rancher sending his wife to pick up or go get parts is referred to as going on a “parts run.” This is because farmers and ranchers generally want the parts-getter person to hurry in getting the needed parts and hurry…

  • Some of My All-Time Favorite Quotes (On the Lighter Side)

    This column was originally published January 7, 2015 I don’t have much for hobby collections, but one thing I get into collecting is quotes, signs, and phrases. They inspire me, make me smile, laugh, and put life into perspective. I thought I’d share some of the ones I found and liked the most. Live life…

  • Handling Yearlings is Just a Bunch of Audibles

    This column was originally published June 18, 2014 Handling yearlings consists mostly of a using a technique known as “winging it” which is essentially carrying out a series of audibles. The problem I have with my Hubs calling an audible is that he calls them inside his head where nobody else can hear them. For…

  • Ag Men and Their Tractors

    This column was originally published February 5, 2014 Just the mention of the word “tractor” or anything tractor-related piques men’s interest into lengthy conversations. The kind of conversations that allow wives enough time to get their shopping done alone without being rushed. Men-of-the-tractor are like Southerners and their college football; they’re serious about their machines…

  • Due to Cows, Your Plans Have Been Cancelled

    This column was originally published October 9, 2013 One of the most important virtues of ranching is having contortionist-like flexibility (metaphorically, but physical flexibility does come in handy at times). Flexibility is required when a major part of one’s life involves managing numerous animals. They can get out, knock important water tank parts loose or…

  • My Divine Intervention Moment

    This column was originally published July 2, 2014 The day after our son’s graduation I needed to decompress stresses I’d overcome and sort out all the recent events that happened. After getting through a couple of week’s worth of anxieties, pressing to-dos, and worries I needed a long walk to quiet my mind, replenish my…

  • Hand Signals: Synonym for “Confuse”

    This column was originally published February 26, 2014 Whenever Art and I are dealing with cows, machinery, or trailers, he’ll suddenly switch to his native tongue to communicate with me. It’s the language cavemen invented—communicating with hand gestures and sometimes accompanied by loud grunts. Thousands of years later farmers and ranchers still use this language…