32 posts tagged “cows”
On CuteOverload - a brand new Brown Swiss baby, still damp from birthing slime, freshly licked, front legs still bent up from being stuck in the womb those long nine months. Hoof tips are still soft, the white parts will harden up with exposure to air.
My guess is BSB is less than 30 minutes old. They usually try to get up within 15, depending on how aggressive Mommy is to get baby up. You know, that ol' prey v predator, need to keep a move on instinct.
With the umbilical cord hanging around like it is, I'm not going to guess if this is a boy or a girl. We usually check between the legs for the true gender signs.
Yay, cowz! Yay, Brown Swiss!
You may have seen this before, but a friend sent it to me again. It cracks me up.
We used to show at the Michigan State Fair, in the lovely and bucolic neighborhood of 8 Mile and Woodward in Detroit. Oh, yeah. Lovely. One night we went 'off campus' to get Little Caeser's pizza. That was the first time I had ever seen bulletproof glass. At a pizza place.
Anyway, we spent a lot of time at the fair talking to city people about cows. Sometimes we made stuff up just to amuse ourselves. Most of the time we were respectful and answered all their questions.
No, the ring in a bull's nose does not mean he's married.
Brown cows do indeed give chocolate milk. (Okay, this one we did say but when their eyes got wide "REALLY?", we said no. Not really.)
It was fun watching people who have never been near an animal, much less animals larger than a cat, come through the barns and look at the cows. We felt it was our responsibility to help people understand where their food comes from and how well we take care of our livestock.
Speaking of knowing where your milk comes from - MomH is hosting a Chinese delegation tomorrow at the school. They are visiting three schools in Michigan to learn about various food service programs and MomH's program was one of the three chosen. How cool is that?
She told me she had a lot of extra "Got Milk?" swag that she was going to hand out. Then she thought a minute and figured that might not be a good idea, what with the baby formula fiasco and all. I told her the correct term for that is "Cultural Sensitivity". Ha ha! Oh, that would have been bad.
You know how I'm always complaining about how my parents' old computer on dial-up is faster than my cable modem Dell laptop?
I think that's actually a case of memory by sentimentality.
That said, I'm not doing well keeping up with the 'hood because it's too frustrating to even be online.
Okay, so there's my excuse for being lame.
I've only been outside a couple of times since getting here on Saturday night. I really lucked out and was able to sneak into Michigan during a break in the winter weather. My BFF picked me up in Detroit and the snow started kicking in again when we were about 30 miles from home.
It's cold here. So cold I really don't have enough words for it. When I do venture outside, I'm the little brother in The Christmas Story, all bundled up to the point of not being able to move. I'm careful not to fall over lest I be stuck in a snowbank until someone notices I'm gone and they send out the dogs.
Speaking of dogs, Jay (Steve's yellow lab) is a big fat goofy happy dog. His estimated size is around 100 pounds. And he thinks he's a puppy. Tyson, the pit bull who adopted our family a few years ago, hates the cold. He's such a baby. All I have to do is open the door to the outside to see him cower and hide. He's such a sweetie pie, super smart and loves kitties. Awww.
The rest of the family is doing well. DadH isn't very mobile, all that talk about how he needs to get more exercise was just talk. It bugs me how he doesn't bother to help himself get healthier, but I've run out of patience to badger him further.
I haven't made it out to the barn yet to see some cows, but I probably will today. Maybe. Did I mention it was cold? MomH just told me it was in the 50s in Phoenix. As far as Phoenix weather goes, that's pretty chilly so I guess I don't have it much worse here. :-P
MomH helped me finish my quilt. It took all of an hour to finish something I've been procrastinating about for the past three (four?) years.
That's about it for here. Nothing exciting going on. Just happy to be home and with the fam.
I hope everyone is staying warm and safe.
Merry Christmas!
1. Sexy patterned tights
2. Sexy stiletto boots
3. Not-too-short but short black skirt
4. Classic Christmas Cows & Cactus Mock Turtleneck Sweatshirt
I'm so freaking hot right now, you wouldn't believe it.
:-P
Headed to a white elephant gift exchange, except we're exchanging gift cards instead of items. Is it bad form to try and win back what you brought? Because I would love to spend my $25 Changing Hands Bookstore card on myself.
I can't party too hard tonight, because I have a 5:30 a.m. hair appointment tomorrow. That gives me enough time to pack and get to the airport before my flight. Hey, it was my guy's idea. He suggested 5:00 a.m. and I thought he was joking. He wanted to make sure my hair was all pretty for hanging out with the cows. I love my hair guy.
In case my computer is wonky at home (80% chance of FAIL), this is my last post until I hit the farm.
Hope everyone stays safe, healthy and happy - even if you feel like being grumpy (and you know if I'm talking about you...). :-)
Ciao!
Penguins, sequins, jingle bells and more... Show us your "unique" holiday sweater.
Most of you have seen this atrocity before. Courtesy of my former mother-in-law. Believe it or not, she found this wonderful combination of Christmas cows and Arizona cacti (saguaros are only found in the Sonoran Desert at certain elevations, FYI). There are some prickly pear thrown in for kicks.
As crazy as it is, I will most likely wear it work next week just because.
Just because I'm a goofball, that is.
News rooms bump stories all the time if something better comes along. So here ya go.
HA HA! Silly cow. Cows get their heads stuck in all sorts of places and are often hard to unstick from their situations.
I bet the Jersey is thinking, "Interesting! I think I will also try to stick my head in that contraption while it is still on her head."
(Thanks to Fabulous Co-Worker Justin for sending this to me and also turning it into a jpg so I could post it!)
From today's NY Times:
People should stop picking on vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin because she hired a high school classmate to oversee the state agriculture division, a woman who said she was qualified for the job because she liked cows when she was a kid. And they should lay off the governor for choosing another childhood friend to oversee a failing state-run dairy, allowing the Soviet-style business to ding taxpayers for $800,000 in additional losses.
I like cows! I love cows! I've even owned cows. I've lived on an actual working dairy farm that has made enough money to not go under or enter into enormous debt.
Looks like I'm a shoo-in for a cabinet post if the McCain/Palin ticket makes it to Washington. w00t! I'll be more than happy to keep up the proud tradition of cronyism and funnel a lot of taxpayer money to FamilyH just 'cuz I feel like it!
AmyH, Secretary of Agriculture. I wonder if I can get my own official herd of government cows. Super fun!
EDIT: Backup material that I'm sure is sufficient enough to make my case:
Photo of cows I've met in real life:
A picture of me WITH a cow:
FamilyH Cow Legacy:
And before anyone gives MomH grief for her nerdy teenager picture, I have one even worse. I don't have it here at work, but maybe if you're nice, I'll expose my awkward/ugly years to you. The only saving grace is that my beloved Dolly is in the picture, too.
May you always party until the cows stop by...
Courtesy of WeinerDog.com.
(And my parents. Yes - It's a recycled card - Happy Earth Day!)
I'm glad to have shared a little tiny moment of your Year 30 with you. They really DO get better from here on out! I hope to enjoy cheezburgers and beers with you again soon!
I'm back in Arizona, safe and sound. My flight back was thankfully perv-free, but I was sitting next to an older couple who complained about EVERYTHING. Lucky for me, Brother Steve gave me a fully-loaded mp3 player for Christmas so I missed a lot of what was going on. The tunes also drowned out the sounds of their full-on tuberculosis and/or emphezema. It's amazing a human can cough so long, so loud without actually coughing up one or both lungs.
My friend picked me up at the airport and we compared parent stories. Her mom and DadH are very similar in their complaining. It's nice to know we aren't alone. More on that another time.
I got home and found Mr. WuvWuv fat and happy! When I left, he was still boney and now it seems he's putting weight back on. Granted, I don't want him fat but he was losing weight on a scary pace. It also wasn't fair that he was losing weight faster than I was and I was actually trying - and have more to give up. His cat-watchers did an excellent job and I am forever indebted to them for their kindness and generosity.
The stack of mail waiting for me included - prezzies from BrownAmazon! Canadian and Swiss chocolates for me, kitty toys for Elvis. Thanks so much!!!!! And as you will note in the second pic - you can't make Swiss chocolate without Brown Swiss cows. I like truth in packaging. :-)
Today is all about getting my crap together. I ran three miles, did three loads of laundry and need to go buy some food at some point but I might go without. I picked up a friend from the airport and we went straight for Mexican food. Both of us had gone far too long without good, cheap Mexican food. I had the shredded chicken burrito in a homemade tortilla. Mmmmm...lard...*drools* So I might not be hungry for a long while.
I've been thinking about making some resolutions, but the ones I've come up with are more suitable for a to-do list than any "I want to change my life" goals. Besides, my 2006 resolutions are still posted here on my desk and those would be the same ones I keep breaking: get back in shape, build writing career, eat better, date local guys, etc. I also know making resolutions like "Do dishes every night to wake up to an empty sink" are just setting myself up for failure. Sure, I'm good for one night, but after that? Pffft. Instead, here is what I would like to do in 2008:
1. Finish the quilt I started in 2003.
2. Replace the sliding patio door with new, energy efficient version. Added bonus: tighter seals to keep out my scorpion friends.
3. Buy new, energy efficient refrigerator. Added bonus: A freezer that doesn't destroy everything it holds.
4. Sign up for another race to keep motivation up for working out. My training for the Big Race in February centers around Shame Avoidance. Wanting to not be the weakest member of the team is the most powerful reason to stick to a training schedule.
5. Get out my oil paints and complete one picture.
6. Paint the spare room - but not with the oil paints.
7. Keep up the good work. (Always end on a positive!)
Edit - One more: 8. Use all the stuff I have in my house or get rid of it. Reduce, reuse, recycle!
I hope to make some tours around the 'hood and see what all y'all been up to!
Cow stories are pending, promise! To tide you over, here's a picture of dinner time on the farm:
This may just be my last post before I take off for the Hinterland, aka Podunkville, Michigan, to be with FamilyH and all the cows. Yay, cows!
I'm supposedly working today, I have a lot to do but the motivation seems to have ebbed from a few days ago. Tonight I hope to get in another run before the cold and winter weather keeps me indoors for a week. I'll figure something out while I'm there. Maybe go up to the school and hit the weight room. I can do that - I have connections. Not that I want to work out with Brother Ray's wresting team or anything. Jr/Sr high school boys are stinky. But I may have to hope my allergies will be kicked in from farm living and I can't smell them.
Elvis II is here! He's fantastic. If I can get my act together tonight, I'll take pictures and post a few. I'm sure Original Elvis will be mildly curious and then ignore this beaded interloper. I won't tell him that I've already spent more on his reproduction than I have on his medical bills. I'd hate for him to try and even that score. Even with my new raise, the vet bills are a bit of a hit. But he's worth it and I'll just adjust accordingly.
For example, last night I met up with friends for happy hour. The HHR menu had $2 cheeseburgers. So I had a $5 beer (no drink specials and I like good beer) and a $2 cheeseburger that was excellent. That was it. I pay more when/if I go out to lunch and that's just for food. Plus, it helps with weight loss/training if I don't get TWO beers. Save money, lose weight. Beauty.
I hope everyone has a great holiday season! May you be kind to yourselves and others, and may good fortune shine upon you in any variety of forms.
(((((HUGS)))))
And I never even got to wear my wonderful Christmas Sweatshirt. Maybe I'll pack it and wear it around the house while I'm being a lazy, Christmas-cookie eating slug.
(((((More Hugs!)))))
