TC Diary

Before I start on September, I forgot to tell you last month that “Alliance” got stifled and we had to put him down. A heartfelt Thank You to Scott Spickard who cared for and collected Alliance from yearling until his death. Sometimes there is a bonding between man and beast - this is one of those instances.

Sitz Alliance February 17, 1995 to August 24, 2008

We started the month at the Nebraska State Fair. It struggled a few years ago, but has improved the last couple of years. However a few months ago, the legislature voted to give the State Fair land to the University of Nebraska for research and in 2010 our State Fair will be moved to Grand Island. It has not been a good time to be on the fair board and they still have many hurdles to cover. Anyway Hannah showed a steer and breeding heifer. She did good and enjoyed seeing all her friends again. Tavin was a big help keeping the aisle clean.

Hannah showing at State Fair

Tavin keeping the aisle clean

Tavin and Grandpa riding the train at the zoo.

What would State Fair be without a corn dog?

Swimming fun with Grandpa!

Tavin goes half days to preschool. He makes friends easily and likes to be with other children. I asked him his teacher's name and Tavin said, “It doesn’t matter, we don’t have to know that.” One day he told me his lunch was “wicked”. He said it was black meat with tomatoes — I decided it must not be CAB®. Hannah is in the 6th grade and enjoys playing the drums in band.

We weaned the bulls by fence line method. They adjusted really well. We have brought them home and are running them in the big pens. The guys sorted off some that may be in the carload — however they usually find a couple later and add to that pen. I have heard them say they like the Thunders, One Ways, and Totals. The guys have also commented that this is as deep a set of calves at any time in our history and I might add visitors have really liked them. As you know TC Ranch has always held the factory or our cow herd very closely and it has really paid off. We will be selling a set of cows, bred heifers and heifer calves later this fall. These cows have been culled until you will find some excellent cows. Our cow herd may be diverse in genetics but uniform in kind. Cows stay here because they produce and are not just some hot pedigree. As far as the weather, crops and pasture conditions we have had a great year.

Regular season record crowd 13,412 for a volleyball game — only in Nebraska

Thus far our football team is winning but the hard games are yet to come. The big surprise is our volleyball team. This is to be a rebuilding year and thus far we are undefeated. They are playing as a team and are presently ranked No. 2. All of our home games are played in the coliseum which holds just over 4,000. It sold out in record time this year of 10 minutes. However one game a year is played in a bigger arena and a new regular season record for attendance was set —– 13,412 people.

The heifer development project is slowly progressing. The bunks and waterers are set and now have the fencing left to do. We had a good 4th cutting of alfalfa so have an abundance of hay for winter.

Vance and Dru enjoyed a weekend of royal treatment with Angus friends, the Kilpatrick’s, in Wisconsin. On Sunday evening they attended the Green Bay vs Dallas football game. It was a once in a lifetime chance for them. They had really good pictures but unfortunately their camera was removed from their checked suitcase — so no pictures to show you.

I was so glad they were able to take this trip as Vance was admitted to the hospital for surgery the day after they returned home. This month has had many difficult days and difficult decisions to make. Vance felt fine and basically had a couple of “red herrings’ that warranted a scan — followed by eight more scans. They did surgery on September 24 for recurrence of thyroid cancer from 18 years ago. After so many years and doing all the check-ups he was told to do, we never thought that the cancer would still be growing. The throat surgeons removed as much of the tumor as they could. But during surgery the decision was made by the thoracic surgeons to not operate as planned, and according to the pathology report, the surgeons made the correct decision. We are home for a week and will return to Omaha on October 7th for Vance to start radiation and chemotherapy treatments lasting seven weeks. Vance told his head surgeon if he was an animal PETA would be after him, as he felt fine and the surgeon made him feel worse. We thank all of you for your calls and emails of concern for Vance and our family.

With this being a stressful month and friends being there for us, I leave you this month with . . .

“Being a friend can help relieve others' stress, and your friends can help relieve your stress.”

– Catherine Pulsifer