Tag Archives: Lee Loverin

MOVING COWS 2

Posted on April 28, 2017 by John | 3 comments

Ripe April grasses
bellyhigh on the leaders
blind below their knees.

Posted in Haiku 2017, Photographs

Tagged haiku, Lee Loverin, photography, poetry

Back to Work

Posted on December 31, 2015 by John | 11 comments

Though the impacts of our four-year drought are fresh in everyone’s mind, and far from mitigated by recent rains, our approach to work has changed. With most stockwater ponds less than half-full and Dry Creek just beginning to run, no one dares suggest that the drought is over.

But instead of gathering and branding calves in the dust this year, we are watching weather forecasts trying to get our calves marked between storms. But so are our neighbors with whom we trade labor. It’s tricky business, though a welcome change.

Trying to get anything done between Christmas and New Year’s Day is usually futile, but with a promise of over an inch of rain early next week, we’re branding another bunch this morning. We gathered Tuesday and Wednesday, cut wood for the branding and cook fires, planned a meal, and even had to weed-eat the grass in the corrals so we could rope today. The pace has been tough, but with an eye towards the coming El Niño, no one is complaining (too much).

Eight inches to date on Dry Creek, more than the 2013-14 season.

11 Comments

Posted in Photographs, Ranch Journal

Tagged branding, Drought, Lee Loverin, neighbors, rain, weather

Merry Christmas! from our crew to yours

Posted on December 23, 2015 by John | 6 comments

6 Comments

Posted in Photographs

Tagged Clarence Holdbrooks, Lee Loverin, Robbin Dofflemyer, Terri Drewry

Present and Accounted For

Posted on October 31, 2015 by John | 7 comments

It’s been hard for me to accept that I’ve worn my body out, always able to do any job on the ranch, feeling secure with the strength of my arms, back and legs. I’ve been lucky, but my knees, among other things, are gone. In the past 45 years, I’ve probably handled, loaded and fed, 15,000 tons of hay with Robbin’s help, but looking back, it was the 500 tons in 2013 that did the real damage.

It’s been a blessing having Lee Loverin and Terri Blanke feed for the past two seasons, as well as fix and build fence, help gather and work our cattle. They know the ranch and our routine and take it seriously.

Cropped and shot with a Canon 100-400mm zoom, I should have known the girls were separately counting cows and calves to make sure everyone was present and accounted for—it’s part of our job when we feed. But at 300 yards away, I took the photo for a different aesthetic. With the photo enlarged, imagine my pride, and my relief, knowing the girls are getting the job done right, and that the ranch can get along fine without me being a part of every single thing. Now that’s a treat.

Weekly Photo Challenge (2): “Treat”