The old statement - "when it rains, it pours", really came true in the
Magic Valley! WOW! We had been praying for rain for a long time
and then last week the heavens opened and angels started dumping bucket loads. The
unfortunate part of the story is, for agriculture, we got too much, too long, too
fast. The lifeblood of this area is water, we live in a desert. However, when
we get close to 5 inches of rain in a matter of two days when our annual rainfall
is a total of about 9 inches....Holy Buckets! I was not prepared. The day before
the "deluge", I had my new 2nd cutting hay crop delivered. I had "plans" with the
young man that works for me to tarp the hay on the weekend – Bad Delay!
The rain started the next day and did not let up, and I was gazing out the window
at tons of good horse hay soaking up moisture like a sponge! When the downpour
ended, the damage was extensive. Most of the "experts" thought that the moisture
would "probably" just go through the 1st tier maybe a little into the 2nd level...wrong.
The onslaught of H2O went down to and through the 4th tier creating a molding, black
sludge of what was beautiful hay – I lost a third of my hay in a matter of hours
at $210 per ton!...OUCH! I shouldn't complain, because there were so many farmers
that lost soooo much more. Barley contracts with brewing companies were voided
because the grain began to sprout, THOUSANDS of tons of hay and
straw were completely ruined, roads washed out, and even a car dealerships had 40-50
cars and pickups under water! I haven't heard as of yet, the estimate of loss and
damage from "the wet days" but it is huge. I believe, and my wife always tells
me that "God will never give us more than we can handle" and she's right. Whether
it's the problems with my leg or the loss of my hay or the devastation to my neighbors
– we'd better stop...look up... and say "Thank You" for the blessings we have -
- not what we want! I'm a guilty as anyone for not being thankful for the current
time but wanting and wishing for so much more in the future! Lord, I'm sorry and...THANK
YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS!
Last Saturday proved to be both enlightening and faith based. I'm 66 years old
and just about the time that I think I've seen it all, "presto" life creates a new
"disaster". Neighbor Brad called and said the ropin' steers he'd raised were ready
so I hooked up the trailer and headed to his home. Reflecting on the start of this
adventure, I probably should have stayed at my home and watched a 24 hour continuum
of "Caddy Shack". Pulling into the property, Neighbor Brad told me how to negotiate
backing, at a very odd angle, to a gate where we would simply open the trailer doors
and easily persuade the bovines to enter the confines of the trailer- 2 minutes
tops and home....However, large farm animals do not follow a script. Neighbor Brad
had the steers "locked" (key word) in a holding pen and after I had backed up to
the gate, (most professional truckers would have been proud!), Neighbor Brad waved
his arms and exclaimed "Nope, wrong gate – it won't open!" I got exactly where
I should be and waited. Neighbor Brad with the assistance of my wife, said that
they would simply "run" the cattle down the alleyway and they (the steers from hell)
would jump in my trailer...oh, the best of plans.....! As the steers started down
the alleyway, they gained a great amount of speed which signaled to me that perhaps
a "wreck" was on the horizon....YUP! CRASH, BANG, WHOMP, WHA, WHA
(steers bawling!). Oh my...!!!! (Neighbor Brad and Goober bawling!) LOOK
OUT!!! The alleyway and the "pens" disintegrated; some of the steers
were wearing panels on their heads like a crown as they left the area at a high
rate of speed! Through all of this chaos and violence, one steer actually came
up behind me, "nudged me" and then ran out to freedom in a bean field...yes, it
was a lovely day. Neighbor Brad remained very cool during this World War III demolition
and stated.... "They're a li'l nervous!!" Aha, nothing like stating the obvious!
However, Neighbor Brad said, "I will put everything together and roundup all the
steers – why don't you come back in a couple hours??! I'm checking my watch ---it's
been a week – is he ready? (I hope not!)
Don't forget Dr-History.com! Exciting episodes of the old West!!
God Bless America!
Our Pledge
of Allegiance:
I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.
Dear Lord: Please Bless and heal this land with your grace and power.
Help us to realize YOU are in charge as you were, as you are
now and like
you'll be in the future. Forgive us for "straying off the trail" of what's
right
and what's wrong and help us to appreciate what you've blessed us with,
the greatest Country in the world...America!
In Jesus Name.....Amen
Look up Matthew Chapter 15 verse 11
GOD BLESS THE USA!
(Copyright Zeb Bell)
Hey all – let me know if you like what we're doing – Email or call 208-312-2976...if
you don't...don't!
Adios Buckaroos and Buckarettes!
God Bless and Fly the Flag!!
Zeb at the Ranch
P. S. If you enjoy our Newsletter, be sure to forward a copy to your friends and
family. Don't forget to tune in to Zeb at the Ranch every Monday thru Thursday from
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www.zebbell.com! Be sure to check out archives of the show on the website
or Zeb's
YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg_Ef72F7DI33Qu9vyfbkpg.
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