New Arrivals on the Ranch and catching up!

Make sure you read until the end! There is a surprise!

5 minutes

You probably thought we dropped off the face of the planet! Where did the Cedar J go?? I know you have been endlessly searching for a post from the ranch. Just waiting to hear something.... anything.... anything at all! Well! Here it is ! A catch up post. We have been busy, let's get you caught up people!

Since my last post was in August we will start there.

This photo is awesome, just a good way to start. Looking over the top of our place:

‍

‍

Our Ranch hands went back to school. We loved having them on the ranch over the summer. We got a lot done. Mowing, fixing fence and building fence. They were a huge help!

‍

We are still not all the way done with our fencing, but we are over half way. It started with a lot of posts to be pounded:

Then came the pounding:

Lining those babies up! Doesn't matter how straight we try to make the line we always end up with one kitty wankas.

‍

Here are some photos of some of the finished product:

Please draw your attention to the left side of the phots, where Pip is, that is the new fence. On the right is our bull pen!

‍

Ranch hand #4 did a whole section all by himself!!! He then promptly slept for 2 days. ( this is only a fragment of what he did)

Our brand new fence and a beautiful Montana sunset. They don't call it Big Sky Country for nothin'!

‍

We still have some fence to build. But we got a great start. Ok, enough already about fencing, let's move on to other things.

‍

We decided to pave the back side of our barn. WOOO WEEEE!!!! That was a great idea! It is nice to have everything paved now.

‍

We organized a section of the barn and threw out a bunch of stuff that has been sitting in the barn for eons. Problem is we still have a ton of stuff! Way too much. I have come to the conclusion that when you live the way we do stuff just accumulates. Like rabbits, it seems to multiply, really, you get rid of the stuff, and then you turn around and there is more !!!

‍

The scary part of the above photo is the fact that one of those shelving units is 3/4 full of all my bee stuff!! Speaking of bees, mine decided that living on the ranch wasn't their gig. Both my hives absconded. Which means they packed up and left. They didn't even say goodbye! No note, no nothin'. Very rude if you ask me.

‍

Though they did leave me with a couple of stings this year. The following photo is a sting I received on my arm. Yes, I was wearing my suit. The bee got up under my glove, up my arm and got me through me suit. Darn little bugger.

I have never been allergic to bee stings before but this one swelled up good and it itched like crazy for days!

The critters are all doing well. Here are some photos for your enjoyment:

Griz. This dog never leaves your side. Almost to his detriment. Or actually mine. I have almost ended up on my backside several times due to this dog being right by side.

‍

Pip, she is the matriarch at 11 yrs. old. She is the chief herder of critters and makes sure everyone stays where they are supposed to stay.

‍

Aili, this dog is the noisiest dog ever! But she is pretty awesome. She also hates muskrats. Seriously, I have never seen a dog go after a muskrat like this dog.

‍

‍

Goose Goose and the ducks. Loving life on the pond.

‍

The goats hanging out on their jungle gym. (one goat is missing in this photo)

Moxie, my mare. Still going strong at 25 yrs old! I even got a couple of rides in this year!

‍

Medic and Jazzy. Medic, the bay, is 25 yrs old, and Jazzy will be 30 in January!!!

We spent this past weekend building a new shed. It still needs a roof but we got the sides up and ready.

‍

‍

Then, we had to pick up straw to put in the shelter. MacGyver was working hard to stack the bales we picked up. Even in the dark!

‍

Why did we build a shelter? Why straw you ask? Great Question!!!! THE CEDAR J RANCH NOW HAS HIGHLAND CATTLE!!!!!!!!

‍

‍

I think I have taken way too many photos of them!

‍

I have always wanted to own Highland cattle. But the timing was never quite right. I had been casually looking for awhile but they are not cheap. I had given up on the idea when about 3 weeks ago MacGyver texts me from work ,on a Friday, and says " I did a thing. Want to go look at some cows tomorrow?" 2 weeks later we are the proud owners of 2 heifers about 7 and 8 months old and an 18 month old steer named Chewy. They have settled in on the ranch and are a good way to get people to slow down when they pass our place. Everyone loves a Highland!!

‍

Chewy will let me brush him and the girls will take treats from me. The girls are still not sure about a scratch from me but each day I work with them they are getting more brave. Another adventure for the Cedar J!

‍

Still trying to come up with some names for the girls. Let me know your thoughts.

‍

Honey and Clover

Butter cup and Peaches

Nugget and Tater Tot

Moolan and Beefyonce

Creme and Brule

Clementine and Clarabell

‍

These are just a few names we have come up with. Any combo will do. Let me know your favorites!

‍