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Home » Ranch Stories » Cowboys

Sub-Zero Temperatures on the Ranch

Published: Dec 9, 2013 by Kay Schrock · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

Have you had winter yet? Because I think Wyoming just sucked all the winter from the rest of the world and is all curled up in it - a ball of frozen icicles and swirling winds.

Jan. 2012
Jan. 2012

Ok, perhaps a bit dramatic. I know the North Pole is colder. That's what they say, anyhow. 😉 But really, it has been so cold this past week! One morning it was down to -16° when we woke up. That was actual temperature. The windchill was -30º.  The house doesn't like the cold either. It pops and creaks and snaps... I lay awake one night, kept awake by the loud popping in the roof above my head, and whispered to my husband: "How are you supposed to sleep with that going on?!"  He didn't know.

January, 2012
January, 2012

I should've went out and taken pictures of the beautiful white snow for you all. But I didn't. Because I am a wimp. I did go out and try to rig a light for the pets, so they wouldn't freeze. I did drive to my mailbox to send some letters on their way... but I did not go outside to take pictures. Cause that just isn't what I do when it's 1º. My fingers can't work the buttons of my camera for more than 10 seconds at -16º.

Calving, Jan. 2012
Calving, Jan. 2012

My husband, now, he is tough. Cowboy Tough. He layers up and walks out that door whether it's 16º or -16º. (he wears 4-5 layers, not the 110 layers that a friend's little girl thought he must have to wear! 😉 ) He breaks ice, spreads hay on the ground, and puts out feed. Those mama cows get taken care of, baby. You betcha. I don't feel sorry for him driving around in a  warm truck. What makes me feel bad is when he has to break ice in sub-zero temps and the wind is blowing. Or when the tractor or truck breaks down and he has to mess about and try to get it going. But, like I said; Cowboy Tough. This what cowboying is - this is what they do. In the winter, in the summer, in every kind of miserable weather. And you know what else? HE rarely complains. I'm the one sitting in a toasty-warm house and whining about Florida. (I really, really want to go. 😉 )

Cliff's boss - feedin hay.
Cliff's boss - feedin hay.
Bale-buster. A handy tool!
Bale-buster. A handy tool!
Cows - eatin hay.
Cows - eatin hay.

What is the winter like so far where you live? Do you enjoy winter and all it has to offer? Or are you like me, and just want to dip your toes in some warm saltwater? 🙂

More Cowboys

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  • Weaning and preg-checking in the snow.
  • 10 Christmas gifts for cowboys.
  • Mornings on the ranch.

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Comments

  1. Cheyenne says

    December 09, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    Ah! My friend...

    Last week we had a real full blown blizzard that left us with twelve foot drifts hither & yon. Temperatures dropped to minus fourty - and who knows what with the windchill. It snowed & blew again last night & you couldn't see ten feet in front of you on the road. Friends were passing around an e-mail the other day with a website you can connect to to see the extreme temperatures in the world - and where we live - it was the ninth coldest place. on. earth. Egads!

    But yes, the men, they head out, don't they? Animals still need to be fed & cared for - work still needs to be done - and what do I do? Bake your 'down home cinnamon rolls'. (we loved the icing, by the way! 🙂 )

    Reply
    • Kay Schrock says

      December 09, 2013 at 3:49 pm

      Oh dear! That sounds cooold! We sure didn't get that much snow! In fact - we didn't get as much wind as we often do - it ended up being kind of a pain - cause the windmills weren't pumping enough water, and what little there was - was freezing like crazy. ahhh!
      Glad you liked the icing! 🙂 I like to bake when it's cold, too!

      Reply

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I am Kay, a mom, homeschooler, Wyoming gal, and disciple of Jesus. I was raised by an Amish mother who was a great cook, baker, and homemaker. I learned to cook like her: comfort food from scratch.

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