Texture Tuesday - Gate Hardware

We may be jumping around a bit in the series of pen building.

For the most part, you all have seen the way we set posts and corners.

So, we will skip to the gate hanging portion of the working pens.

 There are 4 gates in phase one of the working pens.

We purchase our gates at the local farm supply store.

Along with the gate, is a package of hardware.

We don't use all the hardware in the package.

Why?

Well... It's kind of a welder's daughter and rancher's son type thing.

This is how we hang gates at Rockin' B Ranch!

Take a piece of sucker rod.

(Sucker rod is a rod used, in the oil industry, to "suck" the oil out of the well hole.)

Heat the rod.

 Bend it.

 Blow a hole, in the post, just large enough for the bent sucker rod to fit in it.

 Place said sucker rod in hole and level it.

 Weld in place.

This is done on the top and bottom of the post.

 

Use the remaining hardware in the package to hang the gate.

With this process, your gate will never sag, drag or droop.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

XOXO,

Rancher Girl

It's Moo Cow Monday!

Hi Folks!

It's Moo Cow Monday!

We did a little weaning over the weekend.

It was just Flower Boy and I, since Drewman is away at college.

Let me tell you, it is times like weaning that we miss that boy.

It's hard, to do what we do, when you are one person short.

Sort mommas on one side.

 Babies on the other.

Run the babies down the alley and into the trailer.

Take them to the new pens, at the house, and let them settle.

Take some time to relax.

The weaners will stay in the holding pen for a week.

They will be worked, branded and banded next weekend.

Then return to the holding pen for a few more days, before being turned out to the weaning pasture.

This is my most favorite sound.

 

It just happens to be a Rancher Girl's alarm clock.

Happy Monday!

XOXO

Rancher Girl

Busy... BuSy... BUSY....

Hi there!

Have you wondered where we've been?

We haven't blogged in 20 days!

20 DAYS!!!

We have been busy busy busy!

First off, let me say a litter of 6 German Shepherd puppies is much more work than a litter of 3 or even one.

These little guys keep us hoppin!

With them living in the house with us, you can only imagine the amount of work they are.

We wouldn't have it any other way.

We have 3 males left to sell, so if you know of anyone wanting a quality GSD, let us know.

The pups are currently in their 5 week training program and have been fully weaned from Ailey Mae.

Secondly, we have been building working pens, for the cattle.

Flower Boy finished up Phase 1, of the pens, this week.

The loading alley is half way finished and two more pens need to be built.

The pens are a huge undertaking and a large investment, but will also be a major asset to our property.

We have blogged before about not having pens at our home place.

When the place was purchased, it was overgrown with trees, tons of trash and un-used materials.

We have had to do the clean up in stages and still are not completely finished with it.

We had purchased some material and started with fencing, but the house fire gave us a bit of a set back.

We are back on track, now, and moving forward towards our goal.

My Daddy always told me to invest in what I have and make it my own.

It feels good to be living and building our dream!

I will blog more later, on the puppies and the pens.

For now, this is a quick update to let you know we are still kickin and not letting grass grow under our feet.

XOXO,

Rancher Girl

Transitions

transition 

noun 

movement, passage, or change from one position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change:

the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

  verb (used without object)  

to make a transition

 

 Yesterday marked the 2 year anniversary of our house fire!

 How time flies!

We love our new home and our lives.

We look forward to our future.

We believe we have transitioned quite well.

It was never easy, as most transitions aren't.

If you think about it, each day is a transition.

Something happens, things don't go as planned or hoped, changes have to be made and you have to adjust.

We view transitions as growth.

Although overwhelmed and devastated by the loss of our home and all our belongings, we have grown stronger as a family, placing our faith and trust in God.

Transitions prepare you for your future.

They remind you of a plan that is not your own.

Transitions open your horizons.
They force you to think out side the box and unwind your rubber band.

With every transition comes change.
It allows you choices.
It turns your thoughts.

To quote Martha Stewart.
"It's a good thing!"

Whether you are a freshman, on a major college campus, walking around exhausted, dazed and confused
OR
You are parents trying to find your way into the world of an empty nest,
REMEMBER
You are taking your next step down your path untraveled.
You will look back in 2 years, smile, and realize you made it through.
 

XOXO,
Rancher Girl