Happy Heifer....

Due to the graphic nature of this natural event I want you to be aware that birth of any kind is detailed...if you are not ready for that, you will not be ready for this post. (Photos within are ummm...detailed.)

4:00 a.m. the spot light bounces as the rubber tires on the four wheeler move across the new spring grass. Some of the mamas in waiting open their eyes only to be blinded by the light. (It is almost confirmed that someone in the band grew up on a farm and this is where the song "Blinded by the light" was born.) Using my pointer finger I play the opening key board sounds while the other hand firmly hits the gas. My mini rock concert takes place in the pasture of cows. Manfred Mann's Earth Band would be proud. My fans, although very impressed, do not move in the slightest way. Tough crowd tonight. An actual sigh of relieve comes out of me knowing that like everyone else I have no idea what the lyrics are after the first few words. I bow my head giving thanks to those ungrateful beef patties.

The night sky is full of stars. I kill the motor and stop my singing to hear the music of the night. A warm feeling of comforting arms wrap around me while the light breeze whispers in my ear. A coyote cries for a lovers return. The hoot of an owl brings question to my mind. A lone cow is mooing. In the distance I see the valley of Missoula is fast asleep.

I hopscotch through yesterdays placenta and listen to young mothers feeding their newborn. I sit and watch the bonding. A new mother's nervous tongue gently cleans her baby. Barely 24 hours old, together they moving into the direction of life, living, surviving. Still suckling for milk I leave them for the night.
(Photo taken at a different time...)


In the far corner of the field I see the silhouette of Double "O" Seven.
Aka, Oh Oh.... She is an older cow with years of calving under her belt, rarely without incidence. She stands there casually, smoke billowing out of her nostrils while enjoying her cud. Her backside reveals a calf making it's way into the world on this cold March night. Oh Oh, shows no sign of concern outside of her next meal or the treats I have in my pocket, something she is always acutely aware of. Perhaps this isn't the time to be focused on bite size treats as it should be all about birth. My eyes are open to our differences. I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't be nibbling on a carrot during birth...maybe ice cream. She lays down through a few of her contractions...still chewing and most likely not too concerned. (Photo taken at a different time...here to support the text.)

My nerves are getting the best of me. Like Oh Oh, I want to run into the house grab some food and wait. I know that it will be hour before her little one arrives. After laying in the field for what felt like half of the night I trudged my way back to the four wheeler. Climbing into bed I set the alarm anticipating the birth of another sweet calf.

Sunrise...a new baby.



If I had a JVC HD Camcorder, like the one An Ordinary Life is giving away....you could have watched a video. Seriously, I could have still played the key board solo, driven the four wheeler while taping it, how cool would that have been? The video camcorder fits into the palm of my hand. 150 hours of birth, now come on. That is entertainment at it's best. If you think I should win the camcorder or if you want to enter (and vote for me) hop on over and find out how.... I'll heart you forever!

Check out my giveaway is here.