The World Needs More Manly Men

The world needs manly men. Men with beards and calloused hands. Men with muscles from an honest day's work. Blue collar working men. Men who live up to promises, whose word is worth something. Men with "old fashioned" ideals and morals who cling to their roots. Men who believe a handshake is as good as a signed piece of paper. Men who respect women and will hold their door. Men who will expect their sons to live up to the same standards, and their daughters to be ladies who deserve and demand respect.

I am lucky enough to have married a manly man. A cowboy, who some may argue is the manliest kind of man. (Which is now apparently a bad thing for some reason). Cowboys live by a code of hardwork and honesty. My man's hands are rough and calloused. He rides rank horses, pulls calves, builds fence, among other things! He also has a soft word and touch for a broken heart, a sad child, or a wounded animal. He can bust a bronc or quiet a skittish colt. He is the epitome of quiet strength.

He knows when to be firm and when to offer grace. I don't know how I got so lucky, because men like him are a dying breed.

Manly men are looked down on in society because the world is all sorts of backwards. You can't argue with facts or with nature, though. He is what man was created to be. He is a God fearing, church going, hand holding, needy helping man, and I am so proud to be the one who stands beside him through this life.

That's right, beside. A real man doesn't look down on his woman. He knows she is tough and strong, and deserves respect. He knows that while men and women have different roles, they are equal partners.

The world needs more manly men to do away with the corruption we face. To teach the next generation how to be good people who contribute to society. To remind the world that God exists and that we need Him, oh so badly.

We need men who aren't afraid to stand up and tell it like it is...especially when certain folks in the world are demanding from us "political correctness" and saying people like us are the problem.

We need men who won't sit idly by when the loud mouths of the world are demanding gun control and the doing away of our basic rights. We need men who remember that this country was founded on strength and grit, and that when someone tries to be a tyrannical bully, he needs to be knocked off his high horse. We need men who aren't afraid to be tough in a world that's increasingly weak. Men who aren't afraid to tell someone to stick it where the sun don't shine, if need be. Men who don't take ANY shit.

I know you're out there, manly men. Keep doing what you're doing. Keep up all the small good deeds. Keep raising your children to be good people who are tough. You're making a difference! 

Dear City Folk

  Dear city folk who think they know what's best,
 
Please stop trying to be a judge of something you know nothing about. Stop saying cows are part of the "global warming" problem. (Which isn't even a thing...climate change has been happening naturally, well, forever.) Stop saying hunters are vile and evil people for killing animals. They actually control animal populations so none get out of hand, thus a healthy and harmonious balance. Plus they use the meat to feed their families.
Stop creating bills banning people from shooting predators like coyotes. They can be devastating to a new and helpless calf crop. Ranchers have the right to protect their own livelihood.

Stop trying to "protect the mustangs". You think you're doing a good thing, but you're really letting yet another animal population get out of control. Their numbers NEED to be kept in check however possible. There is only so much land and over running it with pesky mustangs won't help anyone. Speaking from personal experience, the studs get in with our well bred quarterhorse mares. They ruin fences. They use up valuable grazing land. I'm not saying they should all be killed off, but let's just say if you're not willing to take them all in yourself then stay out of it. You don't have to experience first hand what it's really like.

Don't be so quick to judge farmers and ranchers. We're not cruel to our animals. Branding and castrating calves is a necessary part of our lives. Roping them to doctor them isn't cruel. Rather, it is the kindest thing we can do to keep them healthy. If you think you can give a calf or cow a shot without a horse or rope, be my guest. You are certainly welcome to come and try.

I think if any of you came and spent even a few hours working on a farm or ranch, you would change your way of thinking. Possibly, you might gain a little common sense.

The few brave people in this country that are still willing to bust and occasionally lose their asses (praying for you, Nebraska) to feed YOUR COMPLAINING MOUTHS should be thanked. Please remember that without farmers and ranchers, you would be hungry, naked, and sober.

Quit looking for problems where there aren't any and mind your business. Don't you have anything better to do than pointing your fingers at everything you think we're doing wrong? If you think you could do a better job, have at it!

-Sincerely,
A fed-up rancher

Before You Date a Cowboy

Before you date a cowboy, you should know that he lives an hour from town. When you go to visit him (since he won't have time to come visit you), you might get lost the first couple times on account of the awesome directions he gave you. You're not sure where you are, and now his phone is either dead or he doesn't have service. You eventually make it there, though.
Before you date a cowboy, realize that he lives with two other cowboys and none of them grocery shop or clean. You may end up cleaning their house and cooking for them when you visit.
When you drive three hours to visit your cowboy, any plans you may have had for the two of you will most definitely go out the window. You will end up shoeing horses late into the night or pulling a calf at 3 am.
Before you date a cowboy, you should know that he will expect you to be able to saddle your own horse and keep up. He will probably send you off by yourself to "get those cows a couple draws over and kick them down to the bottom. I will go this way and meet you with more cows." Be aware that he will not show up with his cows for quite some time. Don't worry though, he ended up riding a lot farther than he told you. It's best to sit and wait with your cows so you don't lose them. Or get lost yourself.
When you all finally end up back at the truck after what was supposed to be "a quick little ride" there won't be water. You should ALWAYS bring your own. And extra for everyone else.
Don't expect to get his undivided attention when you go to work with him. He has a job to do and assumes you are there to help. Don't be offended if he yells at you. He will probably apologize later.
Before you date a cowboy, I will tell you that he dances to the beat of his own drum. If you want to be part of his life, you have to learn to be super flexible with your plans. He will not be on time for anything but a roping.
Before you date a cowboy, know that the most valuable thing he can give to you is his time. If he takes time out of his day for you, or comes along to this or that family party for you when he'd rather be at that branding he was supposed to go to this weekend, he really cares.
He will probably be afraid of his feelings, and leave you wondering. However, his actions will show you how he feels. He will pick his gentlest horse for you. He will buy you Denny's in town after a long day. He will drive to meet you halfway and take you to a movie when he gets that occasional day off.
Girl, he may not act like he notices all the little things you do, like leaving little notes when you go back home. Or washing the dishes at the bunkhouse. Or doing a little bit of grocery shopping on your way out to see him. Or not complaining at all when you're dead tired, hot, and dusty from your latest "date". Keep it up though, all those things get him thinking you might be more than girlfriend material.
Before you date a cowboy, know that you have to be tough if you want to be in it for the long run. If you stick with him long enough, you will see what an amazing man he is. You'll see that he's the sweetest person you've ever met. You'll realize how big of a heart he has and that he actually has tender feelings. Be careful with his heart and be faithful to him, and you will have a life and a love like you've never known.
These are just some of the things you should know, before you date a cowboy. 

Muddy Boots and A Happy Marriage

Shortly after I got married, my grandparents came out to see our new place. We were excited newly weds, in our first home together. I had everything perfectly organized, every item in place and the house spotless to show it off to them. My husband came stomping in from outside, muddy boots and all, and (shockingly!), didn't even take them off. 😧 I couldn't believe how inconsiderate he was! I had just spent all this time getting the house ready! Didn't he ever think about my feelings?! I was so angry with him. I chastised him (in front of my grandparents). I asked him if he was raised in a barn and if he didn't know better than to wear his muddy boots on a clean floor! Sheepishly, he took them off and cleaned up his mess. I felt satisfied, sure he had learned a lesson.
Later that day, my grandma said to me, "You know, you sure married a good man. He is honest, hard working, and patient."
I beamed with pride and love for this man, glad he earned the acceptance of someone so important in my life. I felt smart and sure it was all me, I chose him, it was my doing.
Then she said "A man like him will put up with a lot of crap from the people he loves. But he shouldn't have to."
I turned red as she said this, suddenly realizing my fault in yelling at him earlier. I hadn't taught him anything. I had only been cruel to the sweetest man I know. I realized that messes can be easily cleaned up, but me badgering him about every little thing was only poisoning our relationship.
Since then, when my temper and my OCD and need for a clean house get in my way, I have taken up the mantra, "Would you rather have a clean house or a happy marriage?" Sure, I keep the house tidy. But I've realized that when my man walks through the door after a long day, he doesn't need someone telling him how he's messing up or what he's doing wrong. He needs two loving arms and a hot meal. He needs listening ears and a patient, understanding heart that's always on his side. He needs a partner, not a helpmate. I married my husband for the man he is, muddy boots and all. Without the mud, what would be left for me to clean up?

The World Has Lost Its Marbles

When I was a little girl, I remember my Grandma preaching to me about the last days. I remember her saying how the world would go crazy and truth and lies would be misconstrued. There would be no black and white, everything would be in this gray area so we would no longer know right from wrong. I just thought to myself, "How could something as solid, obvious, and just downright factual as truth not be believed? How could anyone switch truth and lies around that much?" That was 15 years ago, and now here we are. The world has lost its marbles.
It started off small. Common sense became less common, truth and lies became a matter of opinion, humans started caring more about animals than other humans, and they pushed their liberal agendas on the rest of us who rolled our eyes and continued to provide for ourselves. Now this country is split right in two. If the leftists believed in guns, we would probably have a civil war on our hands.
I can't believe all the hate I see. I can't believe people would rather save a rare species of frog than our most innocent members of the populous.
People who are candid and honest are called racist, sexist, close minded, hateful...among other things. Some are so confused that they think gender is optional. As if you weren't born with either male or female genitalia. They argue that they have a right over their own bodies so they should be able to kill their unborn child. What? I'm sorry, but you aren't taking control over your body. You are simply ending the life of another person who was ultimately created by consequence of your decisions!
Kids are being raised to be entitled brats. Spanking is child abuse. Everyone shames everyone else for every. Single. Life. Choice. As if it was ANY of their business.
It is so scary to be a parent right now. Not because I'm afraid of how my kids will turn out in this crazy world, but because I'm afraid I will get in trouble for..I don't know..letting my kid play outside alone. Or ride his pony in bare feet. Or skinny dip in the pond. The world has really come to this. A parent can get in real trouble for raising their own children how they see fit.
I know my babies will grow up okay. They will have roots. They will be surrounded by people that love them. They will be taught common sense and decency. They will have respect for others and a love for God. Being raised on a ranch in tune with nature makes the biggest difference. You can't see, know, love, and be a part of the majesty of God's creations without believing in Him.
My only hope and my only anchor in all of this is my love for and my trust in God. As long as I can keep my family rooted and praying for this crazy world, I know we will be okay. My Savior is my best friend and I can always feel His presence in my life. He guides me and my family. He comforts us. He keeps us spiritually grounded and safe. It's the only way to stay afloat in this world. 🙏
-Rambling thoughts of a Cowboy's Wife

Life Is a Gift

Life. It is something different for everyone. For me, it is pushing cows 15 miles to summer range on a 90 degree day. It is waking up at 5 am and throwing a leg over my little cowpony and not getting home until nightfall. It is spending all the time I possibly can with the people I love, and the rest of it doing what I love. I have made a promise to myself not to waste my life doing things that make me unhappy. My life is precious  to me. I am grateful for it. Life is beautiful, simple,  and a GIFT. A gift from God himself. He gave us life and free agency to make our life what we want it to be. He blessed me with the gift to create life, and because of that I have the most beautiful baby. Each one of our lives is also precious to Him, Including those unborn. Each soul has great potential on this earth, each life bringing something new and beautiful in a unique way that this world NEEDS. The world needs the innocent, the beautiful souls, the sweet and happy and lovely. Let us remember what a gift life is, let us not squander it, and ESPECIALLY let us not take it away from someone else. 💔 #thecowboyswife #ranchwife #ranchlife #prolife #savethebabies #lifeisprecious #lifeisagift #happylife

Men and Women Were NOT Created Equal

Why is masculine a word with such negative connotations? What is wrong with men being masculine? Men and women were created to be different for many reasons! They're NOT the same and men and women are NOT equals. If they were they wouldn't make a good team.

Men were created to be bigger and stronger than women. They are our protectors and our providers. I think it's wonderful to see a tough woman who can hold her own and take care of herself...but I see it as a weakness when a woman has too much pride to accept help from a man. Women can be tough and men can be tender, but let's not forget that it is okay to fill our natural roles.

I married a cowboy. He is strong and tough, a real man's man. He is very masculine. However, his hands tough as leather are so soft and gentle holding our child, or holding me when I need a shoulder to lean on. He is a real man because he easily fills his manly roles but isn't afraid to be gentle and tender.

I, too, fill my specific roles. As a woman, I find it easy to be thoughtful and caring. I think about others' needs because I am a caretaker...it's what I was made to do. I take pride in this. I love caring for my family. Even though I'm the caretaker, I'm not afraid to step into other roles. Living on a ranch means hard work from everyone. I can cuss cattle just as good as my husband!

Together, my man and I, we make a great team because we work together to fill all the roles. Society has damned traditional roles of men and women, but to me they are essential. He needs me to clean the house and cook the meals and take care of the children. And I need him just as much to be provider. Sure, we each step in to both roles because marriage is a team effort. However, we both have our places. I am better at gentling or gaining the trust of a skittish colt; he is better at riding the bucks out of them. Our roles are not equal but are of equal importance. This is something the world has forgotten.

The world is crazy in this day and age. People are confused by their own gender, which blows my mind. Anything traditional is considered politically incorrect. My saying that I think men should be men and women should be women is politically incorrect. We need to bring this world back to sanity, one manly man at a time, political correctness be damned!
- The rambling thoughts of a cowboy's wife