Ranch Wife's Slant

Tag: ranch life

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Today…

  • 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…

  • The Things I Prize

  • 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…

  • The Loathesome Gate Job

    This column was originally published May 21, 2014 I’ve never viewed any job involving a gate as being a coveted one. Stubborn gates always seem to require more muscle, squeezing, and grunting to shut than to open. I do not enjoy being watched while straining to get a tight wire gate open or getting perfectly…

  • The Art of Encouraging and Supporting Shop Projects From Afar

    One of the many shop projects I’ve witnessed over the years: converting my old family car (Ford Explorer) into a “ranch pickup”…on Mother’s Day. This column was originally published September 25, 2013 It’s a good idea for wives to show genuine interest in their husband’s projects, but discretion is advised. Supporting my spouse’s projects demonstrates…