I'm often told how lucky we are to live the life we do.  Most times I agree, and wouldn't change a thing.   There are times though, when we get stretched a little thin, and the trouble just keeps coming.   
The trouble the last couple weeks has been in the form of a particularly nasty strain of pinkeye in the cattle.  No one is sure where it started, and when it's going around like it is, no one really cares.  The trick is getting it stopped.  With fly season upon us, getting it stopped is a monumental task.   Several herds here in the Bear Paws are being gathered and treated.  Neighbors helping neighbors, and the lines of communication are open and discussing what's working and what is not.  We're crossing our fingers and hoping we can get it cleared up quickly.

We've been  short handed here- still trying to finish up haying.  The big Bosses have been here trying to help keep the day to day going, but it seems there just are not enough hours in the day.  We did slip away yesterday though- to go to our home place and help my Dad move his cows to new pasture.  Luckily- no pinkeye there.   We were able to have a short visit with the horses that have been turned out- the foals included.  Neechi and Eloquence are both doing well.  The mares are fat and sassy!  None of them were feeling to much like cooperating with a photo session, but I did get a few pics I will add to the foal page. 
The girls start back to school on Wednesday, and I am just not ready for that.   I don't think they are either.   I can't hardly wait until T gets her drivers license and transportation isn't such an issue. 
Before I sign off, a shout out to my nephew Steve and his new bride Misty- Congratulations!  Wishing you both many years of wedded bliss! 

Babies! Babies! Babies!   We've got a good start now!  When we took the time to count last night there were 119 babies on the ground.   The old cows are starting to get busy now, and the heifers have been keeping the guys very busy.   Not to many problems this year **knock on wood**  So far only a few have needed assistance with the birthing, one prolapse, and the weather has been pretty nice. 

The first day of Spring has me in a very good mood today- even though most of today has been spent inside catching up on laundry.    I've set up my incubator to get the temperature regulated- even though I have no eggs to put in it at the moment.   I'm determined to track down some turkey eggs this year and give hatching poults a try.  The girls are hoping for duck eggs- and I just may try to find some of those as well.

In other news,  Cheyenne is showing signs that our first William baby is getting much closer to making his/her entrance to the world.  I can't even begin to explain how much we are looking forward to meeting this baby.   I've got my fingers crossed for the uneventful delivery of a healthy baby!

Just got a few minutes to update y'all on what's happening in our world.  I will forewarn you- I'm starting to show the first signs of calving induced sleep deprivation, and I'm not out there half as much as the guys are.  The Boss Lady was here for a few days and took pity on Tom and Cody- taking the midnight and 3am checks so they got a few good nights rest in.   We are still only getting a few calves a day, but there sure are a lot of the ole gals that look like they could have those babies anytime!  Unfortunately,   once you have started calving, those cows need checked even when you are only getting a few.  When we are in full swing, we will be getting anywhere from 15 to 40 new babies every 24 hours.    The cows are all in smaller lots now, making it easier to check them around the clock.  The weather has been good so far, but I hear there is supposed to be a storm coming this weekend.  I'm crossing my fingers it's not as bad as the one last spring.

With all these new babies on the ground, yesterday afternoon was spent cutting pairs out of the herd to move to a separate pasture.  Tom rode Bandita,  our coming 3 yr old Thoroughbred mare.   For the most part, she's doing really well and catches on quick.  She's so curious by nature, and she definitely has a bit of a 3 year old's Attention Deficit Disorder, but I think she's  going to mature out to be a great horse.  She's still covered in her winter fuzzies, but a few of the other horses are starting to shed like crazy.  Come on spring!

While the pairs were being cut out of the herd yesterday, we had an audience of several large birds of prey.   I saw at least three eagles and two hawks.  There were also some magpies hanging around.  Usually when we see that many birds together, there is usually a carcass to be found nearby.  Sure enough, upon closer inspection we found two deer carcasses on the hillside.  Knowing there is a large predator somewhere in the area explains why the cattle have seemed a little nervous the last week or so.  We're hoping that whatever it was got it's belly full and decided to move on.  With so many new babies, it would be easy for calves to get stepped on if the momma cows get spooked and decide to take out a fence.  

I'm off for now- going to try to squeeze in a nap before the girls get home from school.  Wish me luck!

Our house guest tonight.  Momma is a silly heifer who decided to give birth in a snow drift, so this little one got chilled.  He's doing well now, trying to get his feet under him so it won't be long and he'll be back with his Momma.   Although we have assured them this is only temporary, the dogs are rolling their eyes at us....