Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Visited the kids/grandkids this weekend near Wheatland, WY, and participated in the early summer branding, ear tagging, vaccinations and fixing of the bull want-to-be's. Over 100 calves to work on and it was a 4H project for the young ones to learn how it is all done. My grandkids are 6 and 8. Here are a few photos to record the event. We started at sunrise and were done by 9:30 am. Only a few bruises and jammed fingers and a lot of cows bawling to get their babies back, some not all in tact anymore. Oh, my, now they are a steer. The kids learned that this is just part of what ranching is all about. Next to last pic is of the grandkids, son-outlaw (cowboy hat on the left) and vet daughter (hat and sunglasses). Not sure who is the kid with the pink hat. Granddaughter has the hind legs, grandson is kneeling on the calf's neck. The whole process takes bout 2 minutes per calf. Last pic is of grandkids really into it this time, mom and son on the hing legs and dad and daughter on the head and front legs. The lady with the big hat to the left is grandma also recording the event.

A real cowboy

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Roping calves by their hind legs

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Caught that little rascal

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Showing the kids how it is done

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dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Wonderful photos of something there was more of these days. I used to sort of help my neighbors when I lived in Canon City, Colorado and they branded their cattle. I do recall the jammed fingers but on the neighbor's daughter, fortunately not mine. I was impressed that she was about 13 at the time, just sucked it up and went to the next animal. Pretty tough kids when they need to be. In a dress she is absolutely beautiful. But that is how ranch kids are. I am proud of all of them. Proud of you too for bringing your kids up right. A tip of the hat to you and your wife.

Dennis

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

Thank you Dennis. Seems that most young people today are business majors and have no clue where beef/milk/veggies really come from except the super markets. I was raised on a hog farm until I was 12, then into the big city. Since then I have lived in Gunnison for 4 years while at college, then Carpenter, WY with a population of 23. Have always kept my roots in the rural areas and respect those people, unlike our politicians in this state who represent Denver/Boulder/Ft. Collins with all their city talk and completely forget about the rural areas. Ranchers and farmers of this state are going broke because our local gov't imposes way too many city restrictions on them. Thanks again for your kind words.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

My experience as well. Politicians in the bigger cities have no idea the hardships of ranch or farm life. They think by representing Denver, Los Angeles and similar cities they represent, We the People. They could not be more wrong.

Dennis

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

A very nice series.

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Wow ...fun times and memories, great set

fbeaston Loc: Vermont

Great series ... thanks for sharing it. The kids will have memories that will last them for a lifetime.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Very good set, Bill.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Very interesting. I really like the filter effect on the first picture.