Broken leg........

No --- as you can see it wasn't Gary or I that had the broken leg....but one of Dwight's heifers. She fell on the slippery ice and broke her back leg. Dwight says that sometimes a cow just doesn't want to live and there is nothing you can do about it (when something like this happens)........but this one didn't have that mind set -- thank goodness.

It was another new experience for us. We've never witnessed a cow getting her leg set ----- The vet came with his tools.....a battery powered drill and his little black box. ?!?! full of drill bits..... Never know about these vets :) :)

First thing was to set her leg ----- using some chain and a calf puller........ you might just have to figure it out for yourself. My technical terms would not doubt prove all wrong so I won't even attempt it.

Actually the first thing was to get the cow down and hold her there. Gary was very happy with his spot -- the cow kept him nice and warm....it was about 7 degrees at the time. I was at the other end of the rope - probably the least important spot ....but that was OK with me. It allowed me the opportunity to take the photos.
Here you have the finished product and a perky looking heifer. Duct tape is an amazing product. This will hopefully stay on for at least 4 weeks if all goes well. Dwight's hope now was that the heifer would be able to get up and feed her little calf.

And so goes life on the ranch. Every day a new adventure - if you can look at it that way --- it is for us anyway.

We had a good time with the JDC kids last night. Lots of questions from one young man. He told us he really wasn't interested in reading the Bible but boy do the questions come on Thursday night. Julie had a good lesson prepared and it sparked a lot of thought. It was on the passage of the rich young ruler - "What must I do to get to heaven".

Some of the girls weren't allowed to come --- they had been "acting up" last week and not paying attention - so it is up to the guards who can come. Singing isn't going as nicely --- but at the same time they want us to sing. Could be it's just so that they don't have to go back to their pods.....but that's OK --- the songs have good meaning too.

Winter is still with us....this whole week has been very cold with light snow. We can still call it a mild winter.....and we know that spring is on the way..... Seed packets are out in the stores and that is a cheery thought.

God Bless!
Gary and Barb

Time for somemore pictures and news....

Here is my 1st Raggedy Andy. Marti was a Raggedy Ann LOVER!!! She must have gone through at least 4 dolls in her toddler years. So it was a "must" that little Oliver get a Raggedy Andy. It was a lot of fun finding a pattern just like I had years ago.....they don't make them anymore. I went to e-bay and found the exact same one.....it cost me - but it was worth it!!
Blaze and Buck.....We have Dwight's horses at our place now. "You can ride them whenever you want." Well it's been too cold to climb on a horse. Mostly it's the wind. But we do enjoy having them around. Dwight put the bale right in view from my kitchen window --- so we always know if they are munching on the hay. Gary told me it was my job to check on their water ---- to make sure the waterer hasn't frozen.....so I try to do that each day.
Some of the local men say there are possibly 800 deer in the area. Gary had just gone "viewing" with Don ....and supper wasn't ready....so we went back so that I could see the deer. They had been spooked already.....but we got to see a good portion of them. This picture is of just a small number of them. So cool!!!!
We had plans to head out to the Rapid City Stock Show on Monday morning. But it was NASTY out at 7:00 a.m (-11 degrees)........so we delayed. Finally at 10:00 Gary said - "let's go." This picture in the Badlands was on Tuesday morning as we were heading back home. The roads were rather slippery on Monday but on the way home they were OK. The Badlands were pretty - shining in the sun with a covering of snow.
We planned on going to the Sheepdog Trials ----(got free tickets from the hotel - THANKS!) and the show was GREAT!!! Those dogs are so awesome!! We've had 3 ourselves so we've had some experience with their minds. God really gave them amazing instincts!!! We watched the first 20 contestants and then the 10 finalists. We also had fun watching the Mutton Busters. I tried to upload a movie of one little guy hanging on for dear life....but it didn't work.

Today is a beautiful sunny day but VERY cold out there. No school today because of the cold --- so no Release Time. That was a disappointment!!! Gary is helping Dwight today and I have decided to go get a Perm in Valentine. So Gary is thinking "bad hair day"..... I'll have my cap on when he gets home :) :) :)

Our visits at the Detention Center continue. We really enjoy the kids there. We don't always see that many "fruits" from our labors - but we know that God is in control and we just need to remain faithful "tellers" of the Good News. As attentive as the young people are.....it's a joy!!!

The Logterman Family Hereford and Angus Production Sale will be on February 14 -- that will be a BIG day....and an important day for Dwight and Duke. They are selling 65 Two year old Hereford Bulls and 50 Yearling and 2 year old Angus Bulls. We will be spending the afternoon in the sale barn with them.

Hope your winter is treating you good.....ours has been mild so we aren't complaining!!! Looking at garden seeds.....the time WILL come!

God Bless each and every one of you!!! Gary and Barb