Coldest Day:
The cowboss had one coil in his hand,
WHAT! 9 more coils to go. (Each coil represents 100head).
As we held the herd and slowly let boss count them out it felt like they were coming back in the gate not going out.
The wind bit through me it was only mid morning but I was done. Crack me out of my saddle and haul me home to thaw out.
The first day of snow and sideways wind in mid November it’s always the hardest day where you’re forced to get climatized. Welcome to winter.
We sat there. The single brand cows politely knowing the yearly routine waited their turn to get counted out.
Wind bit through my toque at my ears. Did I even have a face anymore?
Finally the last cow exited the gate. Potsy, My sweet mare filled in the gaps for me. I couldn’t move. She followed the herd out and moved us to the flank. The cows lined out across the big open pasture, riding out of the trees the wind picked up and blew snow straight sideways. The long line of cows dipped in and out of snow drifts. The sun started to brighten through the blizzard but as the wind picked up it blew white flurry snow everywhere I could barely see 10 cows in front of me.
Up a hill and through the gate they made their way until the last few stepped through. The crew gathered and decided it best to huddle back under a big fir and light a little fire out of the wind to warm up. I’d never been so quick to get my pitch pine and matches out.
As I sat next to the warmth of the fire and my toes started to thaw out I knew exactly what we were doing after work today… Driving to town and buying the warmest most expensive winter jacket the store had. And that is exactly what we did.
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