Between Wyomings: My God and an Ipod on the open road, is a necessary read for anyone struggling with their professional life and Christian life. The tale unfolds as Ken, his wife Connie and their loyal transport Moses the Van, traverse across his memories and the Country. During the journey Ken tells his personal accounts of life in the music biz with major players in the industry including, Waylon Jennings, Ringo Starr and many more. His life was full of all the extravagances Hollywood supplied but he was still looking for fulfillment that only comes with being one with Christ. Ken’s star-studded career becomes a nightmare when he found himself out or work, home and money. Between Wyomings, expresses that God has a place for you and it may not be an easy ride but when you listen to Him the rewards are unimaginable!
Ken’s statement that “most of life is spent either climbing or falling off a mountain, while standing on top--if ever achieved--is very fleeting,” is a great interpretation of this book. The first half was hard reading, his writing is described as “a Christian on acid” and I had to encourage myself to keep going, by the middle I found his voice and was rewarded with a wonderful and encouraging story! Between Wyomings, brought me back to my spiritual goals and by reading this book; it encourages me to take a step back into Christ. I encourage anyone who is struggling with climbing the career ladder, while maintaining his or her Christina integrity to read this story.
Danielle Johnson
Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger
http://danielle-whereicomefrom.blogspot.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Business hours subject to change during Hay Season
The days have flown by and July is almost here. After a big push to get in first cutting hay, we were able to tally up 1300 small square bales and 86 big round bales. Now we have 2 or 3 (hopefully) more cuttings and hay season will be over. I know that in my part of the country I am lucky to have a break in the weather, where I am able to get the time to put up the hay. It just makes me sooo tired, to have suck crazy busy days. My typical day includes going to my job, cooking dinner, garden, checking cows, and housework. Add in 8+ hours of tedding, hauling, or baling hay and it makes for some loooong days.
Between all the work I did find time to get interview with Beef Magazine, concerning my views as a cattlewomen. Beef Magazine is a vital periodical in the cattle industry and feel honored to be able to contribute to it.
Right now, I am in the middle of 1st cutting and 2nd cutting, which means it is book time. I just received my copy of Between Wyomings: My God and an ipod on the open road, and cant wait to crack it open. I plan to have my review done my Sunday and have very high expectations for this book. Time is short and I have a book to read.
Between all the work I did find time to get interview with Beef Magazine, concerning my views as a cattlewomen. Beef Magazine is a vital periodical in the cattle industry and feel honored to be able to contribute to it.
Right now, I am in the middle of 1st cutting and 2nd cutting, which means it is book time. I just received my copy of Between Wyomings: My God and an ipod on the open road, and cant wait to crack it open. I plan to have my review done my Sunday and have very high expectations for this book. Time is short and I have a book to read.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Modern Cattle production
Due to the recent rise in media coverage on Beef production in America I feel it is important to make a few statements.
1. Beef production in America is comprised of many small farms producing cattle, the average herd size in America is 40 head per herd. Yes, there are some larger “factory farms” to use the common term but most cattle are raised on the farm and then sent to feedlots.
2. Feedlots, are locations were cattle spend the last 4- 6 months being fed to prepare them for entry into the food system. These feedlots are highly regulated with environmental engineers, nutritionist and daily monitoring by staff for their health concerns.
3. Antibiotics, are used in accordance to FDA regulations. No cattle with any antibiotic residue are allowed to enter the food chain.
I am not trying to convert the vegetarian, that is your own choice and I am glad to get the opportunity to choose the food I want to eat. With the current assault on agriculture, I feel it is important for everyone to understand the great lengths cattle producers go to produce a high quality nutritious product. At this time I have no one following my blog and I have not been posting on a regular basis but If you are interested in learning the truth about beef production let me know and I will being posting on a more regular basis.
1. Beef production in America is comprised of many small farms producing cattle, the average herd size in America is 40 head per herd. Yes, there are some larger “factory farms” to use the common term but most cattle are raised on the farm and then sent to feedlots.
2. Feedlots, are locations were cattle spend the last 4- 6 months being fed to prepare them for entry into the food system. These feedlots are highly regulated with environmental engineers, nutritionist and daily monitoring by staff for their health concerns.
3. Antibiotics, are used in accordance to FDA regulations. No cattle with any antibiotic residue are allowed to enter the food chain.
I am not trying to convert the vegetarian, that is your own choice and I am glad to get the opportunity to choose the food I want to eat. With the current assault on agriculture, I feel it is important for everyone to understand the great lengths cattle producers go to produce a high quality nutritious product. At this time I have no one following my blog and I have not been posting on a regular basis but If you are interested in learning the truth about beef production let me know and I will being posting on a more regular basis.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The weekend is over, phew, and it always goes too fast. It started slow with a houseguest, on his way to a custom harvesting job and ended strong with fishing. Working a full time job and moonlighting as a cattle producer makes for some long days and sore muscles. So as it goes for spring, we split our time getting cattle bred and getting the equipment ready for hay.
While getting the cow-calf pairs split off to go into the right breeding groups I realized that my husband I had said less than two words to each other the entire time. To most couples, this may seem odd or be the effect from a fight but for us having nothing to say signifies how united we are. You see when you have 50+ cows and calves in a corral with a plan in mind it is hard to communicate through words for those people working around you. The cattle move quietly from the new lush pasture into the old wooden corral that was built years ago by my husband and his father. We do not use any horses or ATV and have conditioned our cattle to respond well to human interactions, there are NO mean cross cows who bolt at the sight of us and the calves learn to imitate their mothers (somewhat). All the cattle are quieted after they find their calves and look to us as they ask with their eyes “What do you need us to do?” As we start splitting off the pairs I realize how lucky I am to get the opportunity to work with the cattle in a setting that most people only see on TV. That combined with a untied crew makes for a wonderful time, looking over the cows and enjoying the opportunity to work together.
While getting the cow-calf pairs split off to go into the right breeding groups I realized that my husband I had said less than two words to each other the entire time. To most couples, this may seem odd or be the effect from a fight but for us having nothing to say signifies how united we are. You see when you have 50+ cows and calves in a corral with a plan in mind it is hard to communicate through words for those people working around you. The cattle move quietly from the new lush pasture into the old wooden corral that was built years ago by my husband and his father. We do not use any horses or ATV and have conditioned our cattle to respond well to human interactions, there are NO mean cross cows who bolt at the sight of us and the calves learn to imitate their mothers (somewhat). All the cattle are quieted after they find their calves and look to us as they ask with their eyes “What do you need us to do?” As we start splitting off the pairs I realize how lucky I am to get the opportunity to work with the cattle in a setting that most people only see on TV. That combined with a untied crew makes for a wonderful time, looking over the cows and enjoying the opportunity to work together.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Transition
To most people the changing in the season’s means a change in the weather, which is a wonderful change to the monotony that comes after so many months of the same ole stuff. When the calendar flips to another season for cattle producers and grain farmers, it ushers is a new task to focus on for the next 3months or so. The terms I use to describe the seasons are calving (winter), breeding and planting (spring), haying(summer) and weaning (fall). Ironically, my favorite season in “farming terms” is winter because I love calving season, it is also my least favorite season due to the cold and snow. The same is true for summer, as that is the prime time to harvest the hay, a job that my husband has recruited me for as a full time position and I find tedious and dull.
As I am writing this I am in the first part of spring. The weather cant make up its mind whether to snow or rain, and last night it decided to do both at the same time, an occurrence called thunder snow. Just as the weather is transitioning, so is the farm. We have taken advantage of the “good” weather to get out the machinery and complete any repairs and make sure everything is greased up and ready to go. I have never been much of a mechanic but my husband is in his element,bringing piece after piece into the shop to be welded, greased, repaired or whatever else needs to be done. After the rain quits falling and the ground dries up a little we will be ready to begin planting.
The cattle are relaxing in the fresh grass and enjoying the warm days. We moved the heifers, those are young stock about 14 months old, who will be bred for the first time this spring. They are always jittery after being on pasture for months and are usually a challenge. This group was very quiet, well behaved, and I am excited to see these gals grow into cows.
That is all for now until we need to work more cows.
As I am writing this I am in the first part of spring. The weather cant make up its mind whether to snow or rain, and last night it decided to do both at the same time, an occurrence called thunder snow. Just as the weather is transitioning, so is the farm. We have taken advantage of the “good” weather to get out the machinery and complete any repairs and make sure everything is greased up and ready to go. I have never been much of a mechanic but my husband is in his element,bringing piece after piece into the shop to be welded, greased, repaired or whatever else needs to be done. After the rain quits falling and the ground dries up a little we will be ready to begin planting.
The cattle are relaxing in the fresh grass and enjoying the warm days. We moved the heifers, those are young stock about 14 months old, who will be bred for the first time this spring. They are always jittery after being on pasture for months and are usually a challenge. This group was very quiet, well behaved, and I am excited to see these gals grow into cows.
That is all for now until we need to work more cows.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day
Welcome, Earth day! Since this is my first official blog I want to take a moment to express my suppport of earth day but also that as a cattle producer every day is earth day. My husband and I raise cattle and crops on the same farm that was used by his grandpa and dad. We use the resources that are available to us with great care so that when our children are ready to take over the farm they have the same great oppurtunities that we have. Intensive grazing allows us to raise more cattle on less land, while still maintaining the integrity of the land and resources.
My contribution to this earth day, will be to take a moment and "power down" my electronics for a while so that is all for now.
My contribution to this earth day, will be to take a moment and "power down" my electronics for a while so that is all for now.
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