Welcome to the Ranch!

A storm came early Monday morning.  It woke us up in the middle of the night with swirling winds, lightning flashes, and rumbling thunder.  Our youngest boy, Andrew, knocked on our bedroom door as he sought our parental comfort.  Our puppy was whining.  Typically this scenario would not be welcome.  I mean, I treasure my sleep.  However after the year we have had, it was a sheer joy to wake up to the sound of the downpour on our metal roof.  I did not mind the inconvenience of a whining dog and scared child.

The storm was not short lived.  It lasted most of the day, but by noon the really hard rain had left.  Instead, a soaking rain set in for a few more hours.  We watched as puddles spilled into larger ones, which then eventually led to some minor flooding as the once dry creek beds filled and spilled over.

This was not our first rain during this drought.  We have been blessed this fall and winter with occasional showers.  They have had an incredible effect on our winter grass.  These rains have provided a steady soaking of the ground.  In spite of these showers, our ponds and lakes have been lower than we have ever witnessed.  Run-off had not really begun to refill them.

We cannot say that anymore.  Just look at the before and after photos of the same lake on our ranch.  If you will recall, we built the pier this summer in the hopes that we would once again have a full lake.

Taken in late August. The lake dropped another four feet, but I failed to take a picture of it.

Water level as on January 9th.

In literature, a rain like we experienced Monday symbolizes a rebirth or fresh start.  This is exactly how we feel.  It is like we have turned a corner.  Our land is on the mend from the devastating effects of such a severe drought.  To receive 6.6 inches in one day is truly a blessing.  Cross Creek Cattle Company is looking forward to watching as God heals our land and restores it.  What a wonderful way to start this new year!

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the ranch
Not a thing was stirrin’ not even a tree branch.
The boots were sittin’ by the fire with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The calves were nestled all snug near their mas,
While they awaited the arrival o’ Santa Claus.
And the horses in their stalls with plenty of hay
Were resting peacefully from their very full day.

When over the treetops there arose such a loud noise,
the animals all shuddered in place even the boys.
Away o’er the pasture the sleigh skidded past,
It tore up the dirt road; it was going so fast.

The moon on the lake and the growing rye grass
Showed the dewdrops had fallen like shiny, clean glass.
When what to our great surprise fell from the sky,
But a light dusting of snowflakes from way up high.

A White Christmas in Texas was too good to hear
I let out a “Yahoo!” and began to cheer.
More rapid than lightning the reindeer did run
They had to deliver  the gifts ’til there was none.

On, Dasher! On, Dancer! On, Prancer and Vixen!
Now, Comet! Now, Cupid! Now, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the hill!  While it is still nightfall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

The mud flew covering the bottom of the sleigh
While the hooves slipped and slid and Santa yelled, “Hey!”
“What is this?  Precipitation has arrived?”
And I thought that this trip would be an easy drive.

Santa pulled back on the reins and shouted, “Whoa!”
Even if the reindeer wanted they couldn’t go.
It would be a short hike to the very next stop,
Just a mile walk, then a jump, skip, and a hop.

He was dressed all in red from his head to his boot
In a very large and fur-trimmed Cowboy-type suit.
A bundle of gifts he had flung on his back,
And it looked as though they would burst out of the sack.

His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like apples, his nose a dewberry!
His cherry red lips were stained with tobacco,
And his once pure white beard looked a might yellow.

He trudged up the hill and then over the road,
Struggling to carry the weight of his burdensome load.
When through the darkness, he saw a twinkling, bright light
A candle in the window was a wonderful sight.

He plodded up the walk to the Holliday’s cabin
He rang the doorbell with his hands still holdin’ and grabbin’
Onto his big bag of special presents and toys,
For all the good little cowgirls and cowboys.

He spoke not a word, when the door was flung wide,
But went straight to work while PawPaw moved to his side.
He whispered a secret into the old man’s ear,
And Santa smiled and said, “It was good to be here.”

PawPaw saw how our stockings had been filled with such care.
With his tractor, he pulled the sleigh from its muddy snare
The reindeer had enough time to lift up in flight,
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Cross Creek Cattle Company wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This poem was obviously inspired and is based on the classic Christmas poem by Clement C. Moore.

We don’t work cows often, but when we do it is a hard day’s work.  We work steadily and methodically, but are in no rush.  If you are trying to speed things up, you are more apt to make a mistake.  At Cross Creek Cattle Company a good day of working cows is when nobody gets injured.

We had a very successful day of working cows last Monday.  It was a sheer pleasure to watch my middle son, Jake, who is ten years old work like a man.  He has had many years of experience working cows.  My father, brother, and husband have patiently taught him to perform Cowboy duties.

This time was different.  Jake  was everywhere he needed to be doing exactly what needed to be done.  I was impressed with his work ethic and his knowledge of the work.  It really was a joy to watch him and his father work side by side.  I can tell you that Jake is not afraid of getting dirty.

We have an excellent family tradition.  The ranch takes everyone who works cattle out for dinner.  In the past, we all voted to go to La Casita in Navasota.  It is a delicious Tex-Mex Restaurant.  However, this year my family is on a very strict diet in order to heal our guts for various health reasons.  Going out to eat is very difficult, but we have not stopped our ranch tradition.  We just slightly modified it, and it is equally delicious!

Now the ranch purchases the ingredients for a special meal.  We plan a menu.  Then as a family, we sit around the table filled with great food and enjoy a treat for our labor.  It is a family ranching tradition that will not go out of style.  It is one of our favorite things, even the youngest family members look forward to cattle working day.

Feeding the cowboys after a day of hard work has been a long-standing tradition in the past.  Usually someone prepared the food on site.  It could have been beans and biscuits.  It could have been fresh beef.  I have even heard of them cooking up the testicles of freshly castrated bulls.  Regardless of the type of food, Cross Creek Cattle Company is pleased to continue this fine tradition with our family-owned and operated ranch.

If you are a rancher, we would love to hear any of your traditions.  Leave a comment below to share them with us.

It is Christmastime, which means its time to buy something for everyone on your shopping list.  Some people are more challenging to buy for than others.  If you have a cowboy on your list, here are some ideas.  I did not just sit here and brainstorm.  These are tried and true gifts that many cowboys on my Christmas list have asked for either this year or years past.

A Cowboy Christmas Wish List

Wrangler jeans-  My cowboys prefer cowboy cut, but there are many different styles available today.
Pearl-snapped Shirt-  Every cowboy likes to have a nice dress shirt.  A long or short-sleeved pearl-snapped button shirt is the way to go.
Boots-  My cowboys are very hard on their footwear.  The heels get worn down from their daily use.  There are so many different styles of boots that you need to consider your cowboy’s specific needs.
Cover-All Jumpsuit-  My husband’s favorite attire in the winter is his jumpsuit.  It keeps him warm as it adds another layer of clothing.  It is a gift that your cowboy will love more as the temperature plummets.
Pocket Knife-  You cannot have enough knives.  There is always a need for one whether you are cutting hay string or poking a hole in piece of leather horse tack.
Roll of Barbed Wire-  Fences always need to be repaired on a ranch.  My father asked for this very gift year after year and was very pleased when someone took the time to put it under the tree.
Bandanas or Wild Rags- Wearing a bandana around your neck not only makes you look like the real thing, but it can help protect your neck from the sun.  Dipped in water, a bandana can help keep you cool in the summer.  Large Cowboy Scarves, also called Wild Rags, made from silk are an excellent gift for the special cowboy on your list.
Leather Work Gloves- Cowboys use their hands daily.  To protect them from the barbs on wire or rope burn, among other things, a cowboy needs to wear good gloves.  He/She cannot have too many pairs because they do wear out after extensive use.
Chiropractic Visit- Whether they are wrestling with a calf or have been thrown off of a horse, a cowboy can suffer silently with pain.  The saying, “Got a hitch in my get-along,” was inspired by cowboys.  They might not call and make an appointment for themselves, but mine will go if I make the appointment for them.  An adjustment from a good chiropractor might just be the thing to get them feeling like new.

If the cowboy on your list has you stumped, I hope that you have found this list useful.  These are common items found under our trees at Cross Creek Cattle Company.  Don’t be surprised to hear a “Yee Haw!” on Christmas morning.

The Most Beautiful Sight

I know that the Thanksgiving holiday has already passed.  However, we still have blessings to count here at Cross Creek Cattle Company.

You might get tired of me writing about the drought, but I cannot reiterate enough how difficult this past year has been on ranchers and farmers.  Any occupation that is dependent on good weather has suffered this 2011.  It has been extremely hot and dry here in Texas while other parts of the United States have had too much rain.  Weather patterns are beyond our control, which is why I feel that people in these businesses tend to be dependent on God and His provision.

We planted winter grass seed in faith.  Even though it did not rain seemingly all spring and summer, we took a chance and invested in seed.  Since then, God has blessed us abundantly with rain showers.  We have received close to eight inches of rain this fall.  We are still far behind in our annual rainfall, but you have to start somewhere.

More rain is expected even this week.  Sunday and Monday have high chances of rain as more fronts sweep through the area.  We could not be more happy.  Our rye grass is growing.  Its rich green color is such a beautiful sight in the midst of the gray and browns of the surrounding area.

After this next rain, we are going to put our calves that are being finished for beef on this pasture.  They will think we let them into a candy store.  With proper rotation and management, we will hopefully be able to resume our usual pasture rotation program.  We are very excited about that prospect.

Things are looking up this winter.  As we continue to count our blessings, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the recent rain and the protection we enjoyed throughout this year.  We know from whom all are blessings come and we thank God for them.

In the midst of an exceptional drought, Cross Creek Cattle Company is thankful for the rain we have gotten. We are thankful that we have not been driven out of business.

With the cost of hay rising through the roof, we are thankful for securing our needs at a relatively good price. We are thankful for all the friends and neighbors, who sent us names and phone numbers of possible hay suppliers.

We are thankful for our customers. Without you, we would not be in business. We especially thank our repeat customers and those that refer others to us. We greatly appreciate you. As the person who writes, speaks, and meets with our customers, I can honestly say that it has been a pleasure meeting with you at the ranch. I love to hear your stories and meet your families.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is thankful for the attention in the press it has received this year. Thank you, Dr. Ward Bond, for committing a large portion of your show, Think Natural, to focus not only on grass fed beef, but our ranch in particular. Thank you, Shauna Lewis, for writing about our business in the Bryan Eagle. And, thank you Beefmaster Breeders United for getting the word out.

I was jumping up and down Tuesday afternoon because I was so thankful for the rain.  The Good Lord blessed us with 3.5″ of rain!  The ground soaked up as much as it could and the rest ran off into the creeks and ponds.  The water level in our big lake rose about 4 feet.  It was such a beautiful sight watching the precipitation fall to the ground.  Now our rye grass will really take off.

Family is so important to us at Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We are thankful for each other.  Our family wants to extend warm holiday wishes to yours.  Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Zorra (Cathey) and her horse, Shania

We had such a great time last Saturday!  Our trail ride was so much fun.  It was a beautiful, slightly cool afternoon.  The horses felt great and did a wonderful job crossing the creeks, cutting through the woods, and walking through open pastures.  We had experienced riders as well as beginners ride the trail and all did a great job.

Isaac is catching a ride with an Indian (Kyla) on her painted horse, Dolly. To the right is Jake as a deer hunter.

For me, the best part of the evening was seeing everyone come dressed up to the ride.  When the costume contest was first announced, I did not think that the Posse members would actually dress up.  Boy was I wrong.

Most people came in costume.  We had rodeo contestants, Indians, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, a deer hunter, a Western outlaw, and a gypsy.  Cathey Holliday came as a female Zorro.  She was my personal favorite; although, my daughter Kyla looked pretty authentic as a Native American.  Kyla researched actual symbols that Indians would paint on their horses.  She painted them on her horse, and dressed the part herself.

It was fun to see these costumed riders riding across Cross Creek Cattle Company.  After the ride, the Posse held their officer election.  We awarded two costume prizes.  One for the best dressed horse and one for the best costume.  The Sheriff judged the contest and had a hard time making his decision.  We also ate dinner and visited with one another.  All in all, we hosted a fun evening for the Posse.

Since this year’s costume contest was such a hit, it will probably occur next year, too.  They will have all year to try to top this year’s costumes.  As evidenced by the costumes this year, the members of the Posse not only ride horses well, but they are very creative.  Below are the costume contest winners.

Dorothy (Samantha Roesler) and Toto. Best Costume 2011.

Timber Thomson and her very painted horse, Patsy. Best Decorated Horse 2011.

It has been a busy week here at Cross Creek Cattle Company.  We have had several customers come pick up their orders of grass fed beef.  It is always nice to visit face-to-face with people.  Many times we end up showing our first-time customers around the place before giving them their beef.  Almost always, especially for young girls, our horses draw attention away from the cows or anything else to see here.

Horses are beautiful creatures.  They move powerfully and gracefully.  Their size and weight far outmatch any rider, and yet they can be controlled with a tiny bit in their mouth and/or leg pressure.  Equine therapy has proven successful for people with injuries, disabilities, and even with the rehabilitation of prisoners.  There is something magical about the relationships between horse and rider.

Teamwork is one of the greatest lessons learned when working with or riding a horse.  You and the animal have to be in sync; together you move as one and work as one.  If you are not in sync with your partner, then it is obvious.  You fall off, your horse gets injured, etc.  We encourage our children to begin riding horses as soon as they can sit and obey our commands.  Learning about teamwork at a young age is important to us.  Children gain first-hand the knowledge that they are part of something bigger than themselves.  It takes the focus off of self, which is a key character trait missing in our society.

Just as important is taking care of the horse.  Feeding, watering, haying, grooming, mucking stalls, etc. are necessary elements of horsemanship.  Children learn responsibility as they care for the needs of another.  It is not all fun and games; some of the chores are downright humbling and nasty.  If you ask me, humble service is another great lesson learned from working with horses.

Cross Creek Cattle Company is a proud sponsor of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Jr. Deputy Mounted Posse.  Sheriff Don Sowell, Coordinator Sonya Floyd, and Drillmaster Lane DeHaven in addition to countless volunteers and parents work tirelessly as they encourage the youth of our county to promote horsemanship skills, leadership, and citizenship.  The youth gain even a deeper understanding of teamwork as they learn and perform routines on horseback.  Teamwork is no longer just between horse and rider, but extends to all the horses and riders on the team.  It is much more difficult to accomplish well.

The Posse is a fine organization, which welcomes any youth interested in joining.  We are always taking new members.  To kick off this new year, Cross Creek Cattle Company is happy to host the annual trail ride on our ranch.  It is a fun time of fellowship and food.  Of course, we have a trail ride.  This year Jake, Kyla, and Rheaghan, a fellow Posse member, charted the course of the trail.

Boy, are they adventurous! My husband had to make some easier/safer alterations to their proposed plan, but all-in-all it will be fun for the riders.  To make it interesting, we kept some logs laying in the path as obstacles for the horses.  We trimmed tree limbs so people’s hats won’t get knocked off.  The trail takes riders up and down creeks, which is always challenging for new riders and exhilarating for the experienced ones.  It will be a fun ride.

We are so blessed to get to live here on the ranch.  We get to enjoy daily what the ranch has to offer.  It is not always fun and games, but there are always life skills to be learned.  We are also happy to be able to host this event and allow others to see how much our ranch has to offer.

Rye Grass is Growing!!

Last week, I so enjoyed sharing with you the blessing of rain on our newly planted winter grass seed.  Since then, I put out one more bag of seed in the smaller pens used to finish our grass fed beef calves.  Even though there was no chance of rain in the forecast, it rained that night giving us an additional 1/10 of an inch.  Early Tuesday morning, it rained again a little.  My husband and I are now in the process of watching the grass sprout and grow.  It is an exciting time for us.  Apparently we are easily entertained!

It just goes to show how important grass is for us.  Many people don’t seem to understand the implications of a drought like the one we are experiencing.  To them they just have to water their yard more often.  Grass in any form is life-sustaining for our herd, our horses, and the wild animals.   Of course, grass directly affects our livelihood of raising and selling grass fed beef.  We have to have grass.

Another form of grass that we needed was hay.  We had some already put up in the barn, but we did not have enough to make it through the winter.  We still needed to acquire over 200 round bales.

Prices on hay have gone through the roof.  Every day that passed, as my husband spent hours on the phone and internet trying to find hay, the prices kept going up.  In fact, one of the last people my husband spoke with wanted $145.00 a bale.   Yes, $145.00 a bale!  That is obscene.

Last week I asked for any tips that would allow us to find the amount of hay we needed for a reasonable price.  We had been praying about this source of grass for our herd as well.  I am happy to announce that we secured a source for all of our hay needs.  Already an 18-wheeler has brought us the first load.  The great news is that the price quoted to us before they brought out the hay was about less than half what the last person wanted.

When Lane asked for the amount owed, the driver shaved off some of the delivery fee.  Needless to say, we were thrilled with the decrease in price.  Most of all we are thrilled and thankful with God’s provision for us as winter is soon to be approaching.  After the summer we have had, it feels like nothing short of a miracle.  And, I just wanted to share this true story with you.

In addition, the first cold front of the season blew in this week.  We put on light jackets and stayed outdoors just to relish in the cold wind.  After a record-breaking summer with day after day temperatures soaring to well over 100 degrees, the gusty wind and cool temperature is completely refreshing.  Everyone was feeling good.  The horses frolicked, the dogs acted like puppies, and the calves played in the pastures.  Everything seemed to feel younger.

God is sending rain at the perfect times.  The rye grass is growing in the pastures.  Our hay needs are secured for a good price in today’s market.  We are finally getting relief from the heat.  All just in the nick of time as the first cold front blew through our area.  Praise God, who gives exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!

The American Cowboy.  Just the sound of it conjures up visions of boots, spurs, cowboy hats, and chaps.  Do you see a ruggedly handsome man on horseback with a cloud of dust rising behind him?  Or, you might see a rodeo participant leaning against the arena resting his boot on the bottom rail of the fence as the number pinned to his back moves slightly in the breeze.  Regardless of what picture you saw, I am sure that your cowboy was dressed similarly to the ones described above.

At Cross Creek Cattle Company we have no dress code on the ranch, but my dad dresses like a traditional cowboy.   He is almost always in cowboy cut jeans.  He wears his boots and spurs all the time.  My dad can never sneak up on you because his spurs sing, “clink, clink, clink,” with each step.  He is the picture of a cowboy with his straw or felt hat, depending on the weather, always perched on his head.  The hat is pulled down on his head so that the brim covers most of his forehead like a true cowboy.

My husband cleans up real nice, too.  He wears traditional cowboy attire often.  However this summer, I have noticed a change in his ranch wear.  It has been unusually hot and dry this year.  Day after day the temperatures soared well over 100 degrees, and that does not even come close to the heat index.  I guess you can say that my husband has adapted to the climate.

This summer and early fall you are more likely to see our ranch manager, Lane, dressed in a t-shirt and shorts than in anything else.  He has traded his boots for flip-flops.  Not only is he cooler, he is more comfortable in the high humidity.  I tease him all the time about his new ranch wear.

Like other fashion trends, there is a price to pay for your style.  Usually women trade comfort for the pain of beautiful, high-heeled shoes.  Lane has done the opposite.  He has chosen comfort over the protection provided by cowboy boots.  Dewberry vines, stickers, and other thorns gain easy access to his bare ankles.  Snakes cannot pierce through the thick leather of a cowboy boot.  Without that protection, Lane has to be more careful walking through wooded areas.

As a child, you were taught “to not judge a book by its cover.”  I have seen my share of urban cowboys, especially at events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  These men look the part, but you can usually tell the difference between them and a real cowboy.  Regardless of how my husband dresses in the morning, the fact of the matter is that he is a still a cowboy.

Lane checks on the herd daily and moves them to different pastures often.  He feeds and works with the horses.  He puts out hay, fixes fence, etc. in his new ranch wear.  But there is one thing he will not do without jeans and boots: ride a horse.  It is too dangerous to wear flip-flops while riding and too uncomfortable on your inner legs to wear shorts.  I am glad he knows where to draw the line.  If you run into him in the pasture, at the feed store, or in the street, don’t be surprised if Lane is sporting his latest style.