There is a road that runs through cattle pastures, not too far from here. I would park the car and walk the length of it passing all kinds of cows, most of which I couldn’t confidently identify, except for the longhorns. They were largely reserved and watched me at a distance, but a few would be curious enough to come to the fence.
“Ginger” (above) would insist on getting my attention and eventually came up to the fence allowing me to give her head a scratch, but only after my fingers (and my phone!) got checked out by her long rough tongue! She’d chat with me and spent a lot of time with me after my ginger cat passed away at New Years. Sadly, she too has moved on, likely what is called a “springer”. I miss her conversations.
These two longhorns belonged to Mr. Hyder in the neighbouring pasture. His herd had a huge area to travel, but the main pasture was separated from the roadside by a creek and a bridge. The little black bull calf was terrified of the rushing creek. He’d walk to the edge and stand there while all the other cows and calves passed underneath. There was no way he could get across, so he bellowed for his mother to come back. In the painting, he was only a month old and she was protective of him, but eventually they were both enthusiastic friends when I’d come to visit.
Mr. Hyder sold his herd last winter and all the pastures have been empty. I’m hoping we’ll see more soon. My big fear is increasing development in the area with more and more out of state developers with no interest in the community building tracts of housing. The country never seems to remain rural for long these days.
Hi Michelle!
I love the story about the cows. My Uncle had a dairy farm up here in a place
called BARKWAY. We would go visit and walk with him from one pasture to
the other and he’d have a little stick to tap them on the rear to keep them going.
These are the memories we never forget. His son still has the farm homestead
and his grandson now lives in the old homestead. I miss the cows they are so calming
and gentle (If you don’t disturb the bulls lol)
I also love the picture above Ginger of the old house.
As I said once before, the Old Souls never die.
I am going to Cooper’s Falls this Saturday for their annual 24th of May
Snowman building. We will all miss Frank Cooper very much as it is at his
old homestead and I know he will be smiling down at the continued tradition.
Wish you could be there. (You can google about it from past years and Saturday)
I am living just around the corner from there and LOVE my life now, near family
and friends forever.
I love cows for that reason…. Sounds wonderful! We have friends from Barkway, I wonder if we know your family?
I miss Frank too. Thanks for dropping by, Adele!
cows are like Big dogs lol
the country areas being developed is something i wish would stop but sadly wont. 🙁
we are surrounded by a lot of green space (farm fields, parkland, forests,parks but that probably wont last forever
They are so sweet. I love them!
Sadly, we don’t seem to recognize what we’re losing.