Wordless Wednesday: Modena, Utah

Wordless Wednesday: Calving Season

A Site to Cherish?

If we allow public range permits to be cancelled and bought out, slowly and surely, the below view will become a thing of the past in the west.  The very same views we aim to protect.  Who doesn't happen by a group of cowboys driving cattle without feeling a little nostalgic?  I live on a ranch, we are those cowboys and I still feel that way.  It's a piece of the American past.

We have a neighbor dealing with this very thing right now - Refuse to take the payout and you'll be pushed out.  Pretty scary if you ask me!  Often times, the reason for the buyout is to protect other wildlife residing on the same land.  Well, here's what I've witnessed.  Push out the cattle, stop the maintenance, think we can manage the land better than mother nature...

Well, have you ever drove by an abandoned house and noticed what the lot looks like when it's not maintained?  There you go.

We're the voters, we're the public, we have to protect ourselves or no one else will. 

Add to that, the cost of importing beef and we just plain can't afford it! 

Having Trouble Picking Just One

I'm not an accomplished photographer, but still I have many favorites taken over the years.  So, I am choosing a few to share with you today as promised last night.

The Beautiful Pine Park

A playground for the Kids

Cowboy Overload

At the End of the Day,

We Made it to the Corral,

But, How Many Cowboys Does it Take?

Memories Made with Big Sister

Request

It's been so long since I last posted on here.

It's all my fault.

I'm a slacker!

But, I'm back on the train...

I'm asking you this, to get started again, would you gals be willing to share your favorite ranch/farm story or picture or tradition with me? 
If so, please leave a comment or send me an email to lazyjmomma@gmail.com

Our Favorite Tradition?

Cow Camp

Every year in October our entire family gathers in a quaint little camping spot titled Pine Park.  The Park is a beautiful little space here in southern Utah with a small, small, trinkle of a stream running through it. 

The entire family gathers, rain or shine, some even consider quitting their jobs just to make it in time.  Hot Dogs, Pepsi, Coke, S'mores, Grandpa's beef stew, peach cobbler and great dutch oven chicken!

No cell service, just peace, quiet and cattle gathering.  Mostly play!

I'll post a favorite picture tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone, in advance, for helping me get this back up and running again!

Lazy J Bar

OUR Crown Jewels

Last week I received a notice from our local Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office regarding a 'Public Scoping Process' for the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area (NCA) located in our county. 

Yes!  I plan on attending one of the four meetings they have provided to discuss with the community how these lands should be preserved.  Who knows; Maybe I'll attend all four.  I often serve as a spiky, festering thorn in certain individuals sides. 

Now, don't think I'm against conservation.  Nor am I against managing the lands.  And, I'm definitely not against maintained trails or even keeping those people off the public lands who like to go out and shoot up old mattresses after doing who knows what on them. 

I am, however, in support of maintaining the lands as our government agencies have defined them, "to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational, and scientific resources."

Conserve

Ranchers have always made conservation a goal; These lands are their livelihood.

Protect

The public who has supported these lands throughout.

Enhance

Do you mean the lands maintained by us ranchers?  What else shall we enhance for you?

Benefit and Enjoyment

We sure do enjoy our lifestyle!

Present and Future Generations

Have we forgotten all the past generations did for our great lands?

Cultural

Whose culture is this after all?  Please tell me everyone who loves the cowboy past...Have you forgotten the still-living, ever present, always adapting present and future cowboys?

If we do not attend these meetings, lobby, telephone, meet in person and stand up for what we believe on a daily basis...We will lose everything we have worked so hard to conserve, protect, enhance, benefit from and enjoy.  We will lose our culture, a culture present and future generations would prefer to enjoy themselves!

I beg you; If you are involved with ranching, farming, agriculture or plan to be involved in the future.  Attend these meetings.  Be heard.  Have a loud, yet calm, well heard and understood voice.  Research, research, research.  Read anything you can get your hands on.  Pray.  And remember, once our public lands have been taken away from us, something else just as important is next.  Someone will hear your voice!