Happy National Ag Day

PSA: Farmers and Ranchers? Not just ignorant or uneducated rural folks or rednecks. A lot of people in agriculture have some kind of agricultural degree, and many have business degrees that help them, you know, run their business.

Many farmers and ranchers are well versed and very educated in finance so they know how to make the most of their money.

The neighbors down the lane? He earned a PHD in his younger years but gave up a "fancy" career for his true calling. His wife is an English major and used to be a college professor. They are "retired" now (do people in ag ever actually retire?), at least from town jobs, and their farm is now their full time job. 

Of course, a lot of farm and ranch education comes from real life experience, also referred to as the school of hard knocks. Hard work and common sense beats book learning anyways, because you can't succeed without knowing how real life works. 

The smartest and most well grounded and realistic people I know are, you guessed it, farmers and ranchers. They are flexible, versatile, jacks of all trades. They are mechanics, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and scientists. They are therapists, trainers, EMTs, and everything in between. They do what needs to be done to finish the job or fix the problem. 

They are straightforward in business deals and politics, and they believe the Bible gives the best guidance in life.

Next time you need advice on something, be it life or career, seek out your local farmer or rancher. They'll give it to ya straight, and won't be likely to steer you wrong.  

They give the best, big perspective advice because they know how to accept the storms along with the sunshine and know it's all just part of life. 

So support your local farmers and ranchers, because along with all this value, you know, they feed the planet 😉

XO, The Cowboy's Wife 

The Light at The End of The Tunnel

I didn't know what had gone wrong. The birth of my child and the end of my pregnancy was the light at the end of the tunnel for me. I was thoroughly depressed and miserable, and that light kept me going. 

So....why wasn't everything okay when I expected it to be? Why did you feel like a tiny stranger when they placed you on my chest? I loved you so much, and yet...that instant connection wasn't there like it had been the first time. I knew what to do because I'd done it all before. I loved to hold you and cuddle you but I didn't feel the connection. 

You needed me all the time. I couldn't put you down for more than five minutes. In some moments, I was consumed and amazed by your beautiful face. In other moments, I couldn't stop crying because you wouldn't stop crying. 

I wasn't healthy physically, and some days I could barely get off the couch. Mentally, I wondered what the hell happened to my light at the end of the depression tunnel. That dark, lonely place you feel you’ll never escape from.

It only escalated when you started getting older. 6 weeks came, and the eye contact and the smiles just weren't happening like I expected. At least not for me. But for others, they came easily.

I wondered if you hated me. Which is ridiculous, and I knew it, but I couldn't help the way I felt. I still couldn't connect with you on the level I did with your brother. All I was good for was food and comfort, and you had to sleep with me at night. I loved it though, because I felt needed by you. But when it came to socializing, I felt you were indifferent about me. 

You smiled for Auntie and Grandma and everyone in between. But not for me. No eye contact or smiles for Mama. Of course, I researched and learned that sometimes new babies take a while to learn Mama is actually a separate person and so they socialize with others first. The facts didn't matter to my disconnected heart. I felt a deep pang and I tried desperately to get you to smile for me.

I remember the day that first real connection came. I was sitting on the edge of my bed holding you, just staring at your beautiful face and having a quiet moment. You looked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, and suddenly something switched. You realized this was Mama. Your eyes took on a loving gaze and you gave me the most beautiful smile. That crooked little smile of yours that melts me every time. 

Most everything in life requires time and patience, especially healing. And now nearly a year later, I feel I have clawed my way out of that hole. Thank you, little one, for being a tremendous reason why.