My Dad grew up on a ranch. He can brand, rope, ride, and do whatever needs to be done on a working ranch. He turned out to be a ridiculously hard worker, independent, frugal, and able to creatively solve any problem or situation.
I have to admit that I was a little jealous as I watched the Future Farmers of America in their blue corduroy jackets leading milking cows around the arena to be judged.
I have never led a cow. I have never branded a bull. I have never milked a cow. I have never worn a large belt buckle.
Yet my Dad grew up on a ranch.
I felt as I watched the youth with their families looking on that I was missing something. I wondered how I could give Sarah what those ranching kids had: the hard work, sacrifice, the responsibility.
Sarah loved the cows. She knew how to make a cow noise but she had never seen a real one. How sad.
Before we went to the Utah State Fair, we went to the Farmer's Market. Sarah's favorite animal is a monkey. Here she is getting a Monkey Balloon.
Sarah and the Sheep. Again, she had never seen a sheep before in real life, let alone raised one (like I romantically believe that rancher or farmer kids get to do: you know feeding the lambs from the bottle, and learning amazing principles about life). What do kids learn who get to raise their own animals?
I have to admit that I was a little jealous as I watched the Future Farmers of America in their blue corduroy jackets leading milking cows around the arena to be judged.
I have never led a cow. I have never branded a bull. I have never milked a cow. I have never worn a large belt buckle.
Yet my Dad grew up on a ranch.
I felt as I watched the youth with their families looking on that I was missing something. I wondered how I could give Sarah what those ranching kids had: the hard work, sacrifice, the responsibility.
Sarah loved the cows. She knew how to make a cow noise but she had never seen a real one. How sad.
Before we went to the Utah State Fair, we went to the Farmer's Market. Sarah's favorite animal is a monkey. Here she is getting a Monkey Balloon.
Sarah and the Sheep. Again, she had never seen a sheep before in real life, let alone raised one (like I romantically believe that rancher or farmer kids get to do: you know feeding the lambs from the bottle, and learning amazing principles about life). What do kids learn who get to raise their own animals? So, my question is: "How do you make your children as great as rancher's children if you do not have a ranch?"
Also, Congratulations to Aunt Liza and Uncle Loren Wilson who were honored at the Wyoming State Fair for farming on the same ground for 100 years! That is amazing. Now, if you want to meet a great family, go hang out with the Wilsons. http://wilsonsofwyoming.blogspot.com/
Comments
As for raising rancheresque children--I wish I knew. I really wish I knew.