Soapweed
Well-known member
My journal entry for Saturday, February 3, 1968
I rolled out at 6:00 this morning, happy to find that it was Saturday. Mom rigged up a good breakfast.
We went outside, and I got in the calves with Hawk Eye while Lloyd put out the grain. Dad went up north and caked the cows.
Lloyd and I got the tractor out, after putting in a quart of oil. We fed hay to three bunches of bulls (some cows and calves are with one bunch), and then cleaned off the sled for the calves that are almost a year old. We loaded on two-thirds of a stack in the yard by the windmill on the south side of the meadow, and fed the almost two-year-old heifers in the east part of the meadow. We fed both the heifers and the calves enough to last through tomorrow, I hope. We left the sled in the heavy lot.
Dad was painting in the saddle room when we finished feeding. I picked up tools and other stuff in the barn. Lloyd put some bolts on the west side, and Dad continued painting until dinner time.
After dinner, I saddled up Hawk Eye and rode out to get in the rest of the horses. They had been around the buildings all morning, but I had to ride to the north end of the west pasture to find them—about one and a half miles from home. The horses were not very enthused about turning around and going back home, but they were soon milling around in the corral.
It took a little bit of strategy to catch my bay mare that had been "running wild" for over two months. The ice had been so bad that breaking broncs was not very advisable. I saddled Jig, led her a lap around the corral, and "climbed aboard." I was pleased to find that my horse had forgotten very little of her previous training. She acted alright in the corral so Lloyd let me out into the heavy lot. While riding around aimlessly, Sybil brought me the "startling" news that we had to have basketball practice at 4:00. I had an hour left and decided to make the most of it. I rode Jig down to the other end of the meadow and checked the calves. We crossed the ditch twice, and went out on some ice for "practice."
I put my horse away, went to the house, grabbed a roll, and then proceeded to town in my work clothes.
Mr. Tarsitano kind of took it upon himself to give us a good workout, as Mr. Nelson was away. We went through some rough calisthenics and scrimmaged for four quarters. He turned us loose a little before 6:00.
As we were going to the door, Aunt Lois called the school to find out when John and Uncle Joy would be home. Ken answered, gave the desired information, and hung up. Aunt Lois gave him the news that the girls who went to Melbeta for a volleyball tournament, were at that moment playing Melbeta for the title of "champion." They have done pretty well all year—much better than us boys.
A boy from Martin was killed this morning in a one-car accident between Merriman and Gordon. His name was Ross Haynes—I didn't know him. He and two other passengers were kind of "celebrating," as they had won a basketball game last night.
I took Ken up to Grandma's and went in for a minute. He back is a lot better now—she can walk straight and stoop.
I drove downtown, got the mail, and went in the store. Groceries for the night included two half-gallon containers of milk and a carton of pop. Uncle Joy and John were in the store at the same time, and they came up to the counter with a gallon of milk. As they have two milk cows and milk twice a day, I inquired, "Why are you buying milk when you have milk cows?" Their answer was that they have a somewhat obnoxious cuss working for them, and don't like to drink the milk that he provides them with. He very seldom takes a bath or makes any attempt to clean up.
I came on home in the car. The snow is just about gone now, due to all the nice weather we have been having lately. In most places, you can drive right down the trail road.
We've had supper and are about ready to "hit the sack."
I rolled out at 6:00 this morning, happy to find that it was Saturday. Mom rigged up a good breakfast.
We went outside, and I got in the calves with Hawk Eye while Lloyd put out the grain. Dad went up north and caked the cows.
Lloyd and I got the tractor out, after putting in a quart of oil. We fed hay to three bunches of bulls (some cows and calves are with one bunch), and then cleaned off the sled for the calves that are almost a year old. We loaded on two-thirds of a stack in the yard by the windmill on the south side of the meadow, and fed the almost two-year-old heifers in the east part of the meadow. We fed both the heifers and the calves enough to last through tomorrow, I hope. We left the sled in the heavy lot.
Dad was painting in the saddle room when we finished feeding. I picked up tools and other stuff in the barn. Lloyd put some bolts on the west side, and Dad continued painting until dinner time.
After dinner, I saddled up Hawk Eye and rode out to get in the rest of the horses. They had been around the buildings all morning, but I had to ride to the north end of the west pasture to find them—about one and a half miles from home. The horses were not very enthused about turning around and going back home, but they were soon milling around in the corral.
It took a little bit of strategy to catch my bay mare that had been "running wild" for over two months. The ice had been so bad that breaking broncs was not very advisable. I saddled Jig, led her a lap around the corral, and "climbed aboard." I was pleased to find that my horse had forgotten very little of her previous training. She acted alright in the corral so Lloyd let me out into the heavy lot. While riding around aimlessly, Sybil brought me the "startling" news that we had to have basketball practice at 4:00. I had an hour left and decided to make the most of it. I rode Jig down to the other end of the meadow and checked the calves. We crossed the ditch twice, and went out on some ice for "practice."
I put my horse away, went to the house, grabbed a roll, and then proceeded to town in my work clothes.
Mr. Tarsitano kind of took it upon himself to give us a good workout, as Mr. Nelson was away. We went through some rough calisthenics and scrimmaged for four quarters. He turned us loose a little before 6:00.
As we were going to the door, Aunt Lois called the school to find out when John and Uncle Joy would be home. Ken answered, gave the desired information, and hung up. Aunt Lois gave him the news that the girls who went to Melbeta for a volleyball tournament, were at that moment playing Melbeta for the title of "champion." They have done pretty well all year—much better than us boys.
A boy from Martin was killed this morning in a one-car accident between Merriman and Gordon. His name was Ross Haynes—I didn't know him. He and two other passengers were kind of "celebrating," as they had won a basketball game last night.
I took Ken up to Grandma's and went in for a minute. He back is a lot better now—she can walk straight and stoop.
I drove downtown, got the mail, and went in the store. Groceries for the night included two half-gallon containers of milk and a carton of pop. Uncle Joy and John were in the store at the same time, and they came up to the counter with a gallon of milk. As they have two milk cows and milk twice a day, I inquired, "Why are you buying milk when you have milk cows?" Their answer was that they have a somewhat obnoxious cuss working for them, and don't like to drink the milk that he provides them with. He very seldom takes a bath or makes any attempt to clean up.
I came on home in the car. The snow is just about gone now, due to all the nice weather we have been having lately. In most places, you can drive right down the trail road.
We've had supper and are about ready to "hit the sack."