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The air is cold, the snow is deep, water is open and the cows are all full-the best one could hope for today. And the wind didn’t blow, yet, when it does bringing warmer temperatures, things could get very difficult for a while. Cows got a big shot of straw, and it was also their hay day. 3’s are working on straw from yesterday. Dana is home from Billings, finding the right day, like the rest of the family over the holidays, to thread the needle between storms. 
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And more snow-now over a foot on the level. And colder yet, camped below zero all day. Ryan got bale bed repaired and took more straw and hay to 3’s. Cows are on their own for one more day well scattered along north willow creek-NBW9 mostly. Hopefully, we can get straw to the cows, and tomorrow is their hay day. Cold predicted to weaken starting late tomorrow. If so, we will be grateful.  More snow and deeper cold-maybe 4 new inches but hard to measure with the wind. Fortunately the wind was mercifully light today. Ryan hopefully will get the bale bed back in order today. I circled everything twice and thankfully water remains open and everyone has good access to feed and protection. Opened up new split for 3’s, but they mostly camped on the straw. Cows didn’t find their new paddock split, and grazed along the wind protected bottoms of north willow creek. Bulls scattered in the timber, I presume are doing well, at least the few I saw are ok.
Cold and grey with light snow. So thankful we got the feeding and straw moved yesterday. Today mostly making sure the water tanks stay open. Moria and Pierce flew out today and Dana headed to Bozeman. Like the ephemeral weather, sometimes difficult and sometimes welcome, nothing is permanent, and a wonderful warm encircling of family for a few days, dissolves into memory like a cloud in an empty sky.  SW winds bring a little warming trend but much colder with snow predicted for the next 4 days. Bale bed arm broke (second time) and we had to lean on Adolphs for help finish supplemental feeding to cows and 3’s, and transport 14 straw bales to 3’s. Unforced errors can be very serious, for instance, (1) Fix bale bed right the first time (could have been costly if Adolphs were not able to help); (2) Know when the fuel tank is low; (3) make sure straw bales for severe weather are out 2 days out before storm arrives.
Colder, yet calm and sunny with no wind. Icicles dripping on roof edge on south side of house. Both cow groups moved into new splits in their respective paddocks relaxed and grazing and full. All but Moria and Pierce headed back to their homes today-just coming and going.  Very cold. Cold, where I needs to check tanks twice for ice. Cold, where you need to warm up in the truck before you finish making a one fence split. Yet, so warm with family, food, gifts, generosity and gratefulness.  Colder yet. Just do the basics and enjoy the family being together.
   Grey and cold with light ice-crystal snow all day. No moves. Hay supplement to 3’s (every three days). Shaun Smith delivered cord of cottonwood. Dave brings fuel for trucks, and Silvertip tops fills the propane tanks. Nothing really works very long without help from our loyal partner-vendors.  |
Bill Milton
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