Meals on Wheels

When I was a kid the best part of any day handling cattle was when the lunch wagon arrived. Mom was a great, from scratch, cook. Chili on cold days with homemade bread and butter. Fried spuds over the campfire - one cast iron skillet with onions for the adults, and one without for the kids. Homemade bread sticks from Aunt Gwen, perfect for carrying on a horse. Freshly fried melt-in-your-mouth doughnuts. And always cake and campfire coffee at day’s end while waiting for the herd to mother up.  

But wait a minute . . . the arrival of the lunch wagon is still the best part of the day while handling cattle. Thank goodness Anita is a stay-at-home grandma and brings us sustenance on a regular basis. She always brings along a few border collies to trade off herding cows, but manages to tuck in a cooler or two of goodies and hot thermoses to save the day.

Working cattle at “Lorin’s corral” last week was no exception. The wind was howling so we took refuge in her horse trailer complete with manure spattered walls. We joked about the ambience; Gary said he had strung the trailer with lights for a festive feel, but the extension cord wouldn’t reach. Hot taco soup to adorn with chips, sour cream, cheese, and chopped onions, along with Basque bread for dipping really hit the spot. And no matter where we are, Anita brings chairs and a small table to cover with a checkered cloth.   

At mealtimes like these we can joke and tease and forget for a few minutes that a few hundred cows still need processed and dark comes early this time of year.

            Mark turned his ankle in a stirrup and tore a tendon. He's been wearing a boot for two months.
 Duct tape keeps the mess of ranching out. Red Green would approve.  (photo by Anita)

Getting the cows home:

Anna on Mater with Clyde up for a pet

heading home for the holidays