TC Diary March 2005

Our vacation has started - we are delivering bulls. Thus far we have only made the long out-of-state trips. I always have one suitcase ready for a quick planned trip. For instance, one day Vance came in the house at 3:00 and wondered how soon I could leave...we were on the road at 4:00. Then we drove 380 miles that day before stopping. The next day we were in Billings, had supper with our son, left the next morning, and 800 miles later were home. This is what we call "vacation."

The weather has been very mild so we have been able to calve out in the open. Calving is slowing down and now we need to be thinking about bulls for breeding. The semen sale season is going strong.

Tavin changes daily and his doctor said he will be off the growth chart in two months – his baby pictures look just like Dru's.

Water is still a big issue in our area. We are allowed to pump eleven inches from each well for the coming year and we get no water from the canal for irrigation. They just had a meeting about the irrigation water and people are unhappy that it only applies to wells in a certain area - they feel it should have been a state wide ruling.

We had two inches of rain in two days and it is muddy again. Now we need a real downpour to fill the ponds that are dry – typical farmers that are never satisfied.

Dru and Trude moved to their new home on St Patrick's Day. They still have things to move but do have the necessities – pants, food and phones. The new office is together with all the electronic age machines hooked up. There is outside work to do yet – pour sidewalks and plant grass and trees. But they are enjoying more room and they have a great view of the valley. Vance hopes he doesn't have to move till his toes are pointed up – he thinks I have too much "stuff" – I don't know how he accounts for all his Angus Journals, catalogs, trophies, etc???

With this happy picture of Tavin, I leave you this month with...

"Babies are a nice way to start people." – Anonymous