Tales from the Farm: Highland cattle show

 

Dave Barry says, “Scientists tell us that the fastest animal on earth, with a top speed of 120 feet per second, is a cow that has been dropped out of a helicopter.” Scientists never saw me about to be licked by a Highland Cow.

The girls have always been interested in acquiring heritage breeds of animals and crops for our small farm. Jac has a rapt fascination for some little animal called a “clootie coo.” Seems to be a small variety of dual purpose cattle breed from the Shetland Isles of Scotland. (CJ throws in a bit of trivia here. The Shetland Coo is the original “house cow,” being so devoted to their owner that when sold, the owner had to hand over a bit of cloth (clootie) with their sent on it, so the coo would follow the new owner home.) Unfortunately this breed is a conservation breed and very difficult to acquire outside of Scotland. However, “Heeland Coos,” a slightly larger dual purpose breed, seem to be raised right here in Wisconsin. A small herd or fold (as is proper) is raised by a friend of CJ's at Four T acres in Burlington, WI. She invited us to attend a breed show in LaCrosse.

We're heeeere.

 

He's sooo cute.

Lunch on the hoof.

Two points for him.

Stalking, phase one.

Larger than anticipated.

Now I get why cats knead a sleeping surface.  He's soffffttt...

Soft, soft bed.

My beds name is Artie. I think he just noticed me.

Surveying my domain? Or is it menu choices?

My new friend Booger. (He's a little snot.) Now I just have to convince him I'm not as tasty as he looks.

Booger in drag for the costume contest. He won first place.

All in all it was a fun day. I'd like to do it again sometime. I'd like to thank CJ's friend Janet Larson for inviting us. And to her family for making us feel welcome and allowing me to play with the coos.

Tales from the Farm: Parts run

You can make a small fortune in farming - provided you start with a large one."

- Unknown

Sakes alive, I would love to meet the person who said that. Because whoever it was, they weren't a-kidding. (Do you like my farmer accent?)  My latest adventure taught me that lesson, and one about working smarter, not harder.

The day started out pretty normal, at least as normal as a day around here can be. CJ was flipping through her web comics and Jac was watching the Los Angeles morning news (don't ask.)  Right about then, our neighbor drops in and asks a favor: Can we run up to a tractor parts store in another county and pick up a part? Seems everything was “running backwards,” so he didn't have time to go himself.  I jumped at the chance as I knew it would give me face time with Maneki Neko. The girls took a little more convincing, but they eventually agreed. As it was also an opportunity for more stunning pictures of magnificent me, I suggested CJ bring her Canon.

Traveling north on Highway V

Wave to the camera, Love

The rest of the trip was uneventful.

-blink,blink, you're blushing-

I am NOT blushing. Dragons don't blush. Besides, I got left in the car while you went in to get the part. Ergo, the trip was uneventful.

Though I did see some very lovely fall mums. CJ was too busy knitting to take a picture of them. But she gave me a sip of her Cherry soda. (The bubbles tickled my snout.) We arrived back in our borough just in time to deliver the part. And the bill. $60 for that little plug between my paws. Can you believe it?

Delivery, dude

 

“One more favor, if you please.” Only too happy to help, I say. (I've got to keep my mouth shut from now on). “Unload that hay wagon, would ya?” Sure, I say. I didn't realize how big those bales were until Jac helped me up into the wagon and CJ got the lens focused.

Yikes!

I've got it... Don't got it. It's got me.

Hard work does have it's rewards though...

Don't let Maneki Neko see this

 

I got to kitten-sit while the girls finished unloading the wagon. Wasn't too bad, until I got surrounded.

Hey, watch it back there!

Wait, what are you....? -sniff-

 

At last, the job was done, the part delivered. We got home, had mac & cheese, and collapsed. I learned why Jac likes those Cosequin buckets... (I'm not going to post my bath pictures. You pervs....) But I will be plotting and planning my next adventure. 

Until then, I'm Faraday and this was my first parts run. Keep watching for my next post. It will be shiny. It will be snazzy. It will contain shaggy-ya Arabs. I get to ride a horse! (If it ever stops raining.) TTFN.