Ya Reckon
 | Author:
Denise Thompson, MT43 News AG Correspondent
Denise Thompson |
Denise Thompson
MT43 News AG Correspondent
Mendin’ fences. Catchin’ your breath. Ridin’ out the storm.
Ranchin’ and Cowboyin', and the many life lesson analogies connected with this world of agriculture……It is rather profound, ya reckon!?!
Springtime on the ranch is chock-full of chores and tasks that need to be completed in a timely fashion. There are often not enough hours in the day to get the work done. Even so, those in this vocation see the value of rest. Springtime is also known for its intense thunderstorms, and Montana has already experienced such in recent days.
I tend to gravitate toward the beautiful, insightful nature of Ag. There is so much depth and truth, and this incredible endurance. The life lessons are endless, but I wanted to skim the surface of three:
Mendin’ fences: We recently had a really long day fixing fence in one of our favorite areas of Broadwater County. It is a beautiful place with endless wildflowers, rugged terrain, incredible views, and lush, green grass. Nonetheless, it may be our least favorite place to fix fence because it is physically demanding and usually requires a great deal of effort. So too does repairing or improving relationships that have been damaged in some way. Like fixing fence, restoring a relationship requires a lot of hard work, some tough conversations and a keen eye for respect, honesty and truly valuing the person(s) and work involved. At the end of the day, it is worth it, ya reckon!?!
Catchin’ your breath: With the nature of agriculture, many ranchers, farmers and cowboys may be guilty of not taking enough time to rest. The workload is intense and can be rather constant. It is difficult to make time for vacations and days off. Nonetheless, folks in agriculture try to be very intentional about blending play with their work. They have picnic lunches during harvest or when they are moving cows. They take their fishing poles when they go to check on the herd in the hills. They take a catnap under a shade tree during the heat of the day, while hiking miles to fix fence. They sit on their porch for a spell and listen to the birds or close their eyes to the hum of sprinklers watering the grass. They fall asleep in their chair while reading the Western Ag Reporter. Sunrises and sunsets hold a rather philosophical meaning to those who don’t work in hours. There truly is restoration with rest, and most folks in this vocation embrace the demands while rejoicing in the sweet, fleeting moments of slumber, ya reckon!?!
Ridin’ out the storm: We can get rather crazy thunderstorms in Big Sky Country. There are times where the only option is to simply ride out that storm. So too, in life, there are times we must endure a difficult or challenging situation, typically one that is unpleasant and cannot be avoided, until it passes. It implies staying put, surviving the crisis, and emerging from it without being significantly harmed. The phrase even suggests a period of waiting and resilience rather than actively trying to change the situation. This often requires patience and wisdom and discernment….and certainly a hefty dose of faith, ya reckon!?!
For the Love of Ag, From the Heart of a Western Woman,
Denise Thompson
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Denise Thompson
Image 1 Caption: Trinity Tallman mendin' fence in the Big Belt Mountains
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
Image 2 Caption: Hannah Overby taking a break from mendin' fence on a beautiful spring day.
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
Image 3 Caption: Vince Thompson and his dog, "Hoss," catching their breath during a long, hot day working in the mountains.
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
Image 4 Caption: 'Ridin' out the storm' over the Hogbacks, nestled near the Big Belt Mountains
Photo Credit: Denise Thompson
