sArAh PaLiN, "ThE wEsT", & ChaRacTeR

As a young 25 year old woman I admire Sarah Palin more each day. I find myself more akin to a Sarah Palin than an Angelina Jolie and for that I am truly grateful. As a gal growing up in the "WEST" and growing up on the frontier of our own, the Palin family could be found amongst my family's friends and my own friends from college. Perhaps it truly is something about us folks that are from the western United States and grew up learning to be self-sufficient and working in nature because I only see a woman I can truly relate to and look up to as a woman when other folks are using their own insecurities to challenge your success. Her career, family, and personal values are something that all young girls should be reading about instead of famous Hollywood actresses, singers, or a few other choice female politicians. I grew up working hard on a cattle ranch, never really experiencing family vacations instead spending summers farming and irrigating and holidays spent at home with hungry cows & calves to feed, one parent was in a lengthy coma by the time I was 15 with years of brain injury rehab to follow, and my father passed away after a 6 yr battle with stage IV cancer. I paid for college with student loans, and the government didn't hand me free money even though my family's combined salary would appall the post-man. FOLKS-this is real life...Not exaggerated or made up. Sarah Palin's life is what we tax-paying, church-going, Jesus Christ believing, hard working families experience every day. She has a son in the miliarty-gone to battle for all of us, a daughter who made a mistake that most of your children have probably already made-just didn't get handed the baby card, and her youngest baby has Down Syndrome. She has worked HARD, her husband has worked HARD, they don't come from Old Money, private schools, trust funds, OR welfare. Is that truly so hard to believe? It’s not for me or everyone else I know. Leadership and serving has been a part of my life and my family's since I was born....because it’s just the way you are raised out in the country. You help out your neighbors, your family memories are experienced WORKING alongside each other not on a vacation, digital or flat screen TVs are rare, spending money on cable or satellite doesn't make sense. So, when you ask if any women support Sarah Palin the answer is YES!!!! Sarah Palin is the type of woman I have known all my life and would invite over for a steak or burger and ask how her and her husband are raising their youngest to be included and a part of their family just like their other children and how as a woman and mother she has been able to withstand the lies and attacks on her character. As a 25 year old painfully honest, grounded, right from wrong thinker, driven in faith, leadership, and values; I am an image of a Palin supporter and others like her.  I am a woman thankful for finally having a "famous" woman of Sarah Palin's CHARACTER to lead and inspire us in this world.
(This was something I felt drawn to post online in regards to a forum that asked if any women actually supported Sarah Palin. I am not one to respond to those type of things, but I couldn't be stopped!)

What traits do you admire in people? Do you find yourself getting more involved when the world seems to be slipping from ethics? Would love to hear from what drives you each and every day!

Blessings, Jenna

2013

Only thing better...if one day I was in these shoes!!! :)

No Rest for the weary....literally

Luke 6:20-49 

²⁰Looking at his disciples, he said:
   "Blessed are you who are poor,
      for yours is the kingdom of God.
 ²¹Blessed are you who hunger now,
      for you will be satisfied.
   Blessed are you who weep now,
      for you will laugh.
 ²²Blessed are you when men hate you,
      when they exclude you and insult you
      and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
 ²³"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
 ²⁴"But woe to you who are rich,
      for you have already received your comfort.
 ²⁵Woe to you who are well fed now,
      for you will go hungry.
   Woe to you who laugh now,
      for you will mourn and weep.
 ²⁶Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
      for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Love for Enemies

 ²⁷"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. ³⁰Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. ³¹Do to others as you would have them do to you.  ³²"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. ³³And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. ³⁴And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. ³⁵But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. ³⁶Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others

 ³⁷"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. ³⁸Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."  ³⁹He also told them this parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? ⁴⁰A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
 ⁴¹"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴²How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

 ⁴³"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. ⁴⁴Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. ⁴⁵The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

 ⁴⁶"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. ⁴⁸He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Blessed this Christmas...difficult yes, but everywhere we turned there shone the Lord

Amarillo Sky

Such a great tribute to America's Farmers, "Amarillo Sky" by Jason Aldean...hard to get tired of listening or watching this one!

Christmas Poem of the West

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the West

The people were struggling to do what was best

The Century farms were tucked in for the season

The hay piled up high; feeding cattle the reason

But the families have had to split chores don't you see

'cause one of them's making the flight to D.C.

To the un-ending work on the farm they now add

countless hours to lobby, just to prove they aren't bad

With a nation that's led to believe, by some quirk

That their food comes from Safeway and requires little work

And thus disconnected from food, they assume

Regulation won't stop all that food they consume

And the timber producers lay snug in their beds

And hopeful solutions all danced through their heads

Would a new forest plan finally bring needed sense

To the tinder dry forests, overstocked and too dense?

The moon on the fresh fallen snow is a sight

Feeding hopes that low water won't start a new fight

And we gaze at this vision and pray for good cheer

And for better relations in the upcoming year

But what to our wondering eyes should appear, but

A red-cheeked, round man on a brand new John Deere

Thinking its Santa, we give out a yelp

But he's here from the government.... says he can help?

Dear Santa, won't leadership finally see?

The solution to Oregon's economy

Is don't give us some brand new idea to endorse

When we're rich in traditional natural resource

So let us exclaim, or we'll fade out of sight

Merry Christmas, and trust us, we still do this right!

~Colleen MacLeod

This poem was written by Colleen MacLeod of LaGrande, Oregon.  She is a former Union County OR Commissioner and former staffer for Congressman Greg Walden.  She is currently running against Rep. Greg Smith in Oregon's House District 57.  A passionate agriculture advocacte for Oregon, friend, and WSU alum sent this to me and I had to be sure to pass it on for others to experience!

~Merry Christmas~

The Charge of the Light Brigade

This weekend I went with my mom to the movie, The Blind Side.  I'm certainly glad she asked me if I would go with her to a movie because this was without a doubt the best movie I've seen in a long time.  One website said, "It has a clear vision of compassion". The story was amazing but actually left you feeling really great, not too heavy, sad, schmultzy or anything else! It is about Baltimore Ravens football player Michael Oher.  Here is a poem that was read in the movie by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.  (Oh and try the book too, I think I'm going to add that to my ever growing reading list!)

Half a league half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred:
'Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

'Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd ?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do & die,
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd & thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack & Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke,
Shatter'd & sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse & hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

A Farmer's Prayer...........

Although I may not bow my head as often as I should, I'm thankful for the life I lead in this farming neighborhood.

I love the feel of a warm spring shower, and the soft green grass in May. I say thanks when I feel bright sunshine drying out the fresh-mown hay.

I am thankful when I look upon a field of tasseled corn. And I love the sounds of harvest on a frosty morn.

It's such a good feeling at sunset when a long day's work is done, and I like the hours when I work real hard but am working just for fun.

There are times in the life of a farmer when things don't go our way, but although I may not bow my head I am thankful every day.

US Ranchers wRaNgLiNg over LIVESTOCK

*** Yakima Herald-Republic Nov. 28th article featuring local Yakima Valley dairy "George DeRuyter & Sons" and Washington Cattlemen's Assoc Exec. Director Jack Field discussing Livestock ID***

GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic

Celso Alvarez attaches an identification tag to a cow at the George DeRuyter & Sons Dairy in early November 2009. The tags contain a wealth of information that allow the cow to be identified and tracked throughout its life.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yakima County is home to an estimated 286,432 meat and dairy cattle. It's also where the nation's first confirmed case of mad cow disease occurred six years ago. That discovery helped prompt efforts to develop a national system to track diseased animals. Reporter Erin Snelgrove traveled to Australia and reports today on how that nation developed such a program and how efforts are progressing here.

CLONCURRY, Australia -- Dust billows in the sun-drenched sky as 600 cattle charge through the chute. They act as one, a writhing mass of legs and hooves. Flies swarm in their wake, and ranchers stand on alert, ready to jump into the fray if needed.
As each animal passes, its ear tag transmits data that's entered into a national database, allowing authorities to track each animal from birth to death.
In a global economy, where mad cow, hoof and mouth and other diseases can crush a market overnight, the ability to track cattle can be crucial.
In Australia, where 65 percent of all beef is exported, it's especially critical.
"It gives us lifelong traceability," said Ray Campbell, who owns a 26,000-acre cattle operation in Cloncurry. "It gives us the edge in the world market. Australian beef is known as clean and green."
In the United States -- where discovery of a single case of mad cow disease at a Mabton dairy in December 2003 prompted Japan, Korea and others to ban U.S. beef imports for more than a year -- some see the Australian system as worth replicating.
Since 2004, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been attempting to develop a program similar to Australia's.
But not everyone likes what the USDA has been proposing. .........read the rest of the Yakima-Herald Republic article.

THANK YOU fArMeRs & RaNcHeRs ThUrSdAy!!!

WATCH aWeSoMe AmErIcA'S LAND commercial!

(Click picture or link below!)

America’s farmers grow our economy, care for our land and provide for us every day. They ship nearly $100 billion of crops and products to many nations. They provide more than 24 million jobs in the U.S. They grow more food now than they did just a few decades ago – using nearly half the energy and fewer resources for every bushel produced. As farming grows, so does our quality of life. We’re all connected through agriculture, so take a few moments and thank your farmers for what they’ve provided for you and your loved ones – your food, your fuel, your clothes.  (Monsanto)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RPQqGIL9SE

Blake Shelton..........new celebrity face for FaRmErS & rAnChErS??

Folks we do catch a break every now and then-I promise! :)  I've been following Blake Shelton on Twitter for some time now.  The reason?  Because I like his music? Well, I do like his music, but since I'm not quite as obsessed with Blake as I am his GF Miranda Lambert that wasn't the reason!  The reason is this is the best (anti) celebrity we have making it "cool" to be anti PETA!  Win for farmers & ranchers everywhere.  Every other celebrity out there tries to make it "cool" to support PETA---not Blake!  "Hey PETA, dad says to let him know when y'all are finished bitchin' about this.. So he can blast another! http://yfrog.com/1dczwj " "Hey Jace... Do you like PETA? http://yfrog.com/1efbdj " Just some great examples!

WARNING: at times he may not have the most Child appropriate tweets to put it delicately......but we'll take it! :)  Thanks BLAKE and keep up the good work....hey have you heard of this silent killer group called HSUS???  They are WORSE than PETA.....what do ya got for us???

Blake Shelton Taunts PETA with Tweets

"Blake Shelton and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have been locked in something of a bitter Twitter battle lately. Blake, who's notorious for his frequent -- and frequently sarcastic -- Twitter updates, directed a few choice 'tweets' at the animal-activists group recently, with his comments resulting in his getting banned from receiving the group's updates on the social-networking site." ....Read the rest of the article here

'Nuff said! :)

America's Farm Families....video

 97% of our Farms & Ranches are family owned & operated.  These farmers are feeding their own families: children & grandchildren along with the rest of the world!  Watch this video and then tell them ThAnKs!!!!  Write a Thank You Note to America's Farmers & Ranchers today for what they provide and the quality of life they have given us!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vmB4Fsfr64

"Ramblings of a Conservative Cow Doctor"...Free Market look at Welfare for Ranchers

My friend from Sidney, MT keeps telling me about the weekly posts from a "conservative cow doctor" roaming around MT! :) I thought I would post one of Kreyton Kerns (MT State Rep HD 8, veternarian) posts from a few weeks back.  "A Free-Market Look at Welfare for Ranchers"

"Grazing cattle on federal lands is nothing more than welfare for ranchers,” Al said hoping to raise my hackles. I smiled and said nothing as I knew there would be a better time to respond. One month later there was.

It was the second year of Double Rafter Cattle Drives and Al’s group of Moen sales-reps, plumbers and builders joined our fledgling operation. It was the third day out, and after 12 miles climbing the rocky Little Horn Canyon, our leads crossed the river and were making the final, steep, climb into the grassy meadows of the lower parks. I was with Al and several others in the drags, leading the last string of pack mules.

This quarter-mile climb out of Robinson Crossing can be intimidating and the 100 yard stretch at the top is nicknamed the “beaver slide”. I can’t recall ever seeing any sliding beavers; it is far too steep for such wildlife recreational activities, but regardless, we trail cattle up it."   See the rest HERE!

Check out the rest of his posts, very good weekly read.  This week's post is titled, "The Mayflower and the Liberty: Two of America's Greatest Ships"

Code of Honor YPC Cattle Call Blog

Check out the NCBA Young Producers Council Blog, Cattle Call.  'Code of Honor' article was featured and great exposure for WA state and the Pacfic Northwest! 


http://ypcblog.beefusa.org/post/2009/11/10/Code-of-Honor.aspx

Thankfulness

A very good friend of mine that I've always known was hand picked to be a part of my life by the Lord told me yesterday about being thankful.  A few hours after that a radio program came on about making thankfulness a part of your family's life through your own actions. 

Natural inherant thankfulness has to be worked at.  Every single one of us will be brought down by the negative and that will swarm our minds and heart until we don't remember how to be thankful.  She suggested I do a list each day if I need to of at least 5 things I was thankful for.  Most people still consider me a overall positive focused person.  Making this list was more of a way for me to build my wall of God's love back up when the world around me is tearing it down.  Currently many things in my life are coming at my heart and God's work to try and sneak in an attack at every angle.  I am still so thankful for so many things in my life, but making this list for me isn't to remind me of what I know I have.  This thankful list is an instant fix when I feel down on unkind society, or shady ethics, or anything else that is heavy on my heart that day!  I am going to add this as a part of my blog as often as I can! 

**Picture of Northern lights sent in an email.  Even though I haven't witnessed this beauty in person, I am reminded how awe inspiring the lord is in every aspect of life!

Code Of Honor (Ketch Pen November 2009)

There are two groups we get placed into based on how we approach life.  We either approach situations with "black & white" thought process or our thoughts are a little more blended in which they fall into "gray" decisions.  What happens though if our decisions are black & white at times and gray at other times?  Does this mean we are just lost in life or does it mean we created a "charcoal" group of thinkers?

Recently I've spent a fair amount of time doing that thinking thing again.  Thinking or reflecting can be something that proves difficult or painful to engage in.  I don't fault anyone that chooses not to reflect back on past experiences in their life.  It can be one of the most emotionally challenging experiences we as humans may have.  That business they call “emotion” can be a dangerous territory to enter into, so tread lightly!  Much to my chagrin, I choose to reflect back on experiences I have had.  I keep telling myself the big guy above must keep giving me interesting life experiences for a reason and I’ve learned I better listen if He's talking.  Recently my reflection has been centered on a man very dear to my life and many others, including the cattle industry.  The many memories and thoughts I had led me to this box we put ourselves in regarding how to think.  The man in my life was a true role model.  What made him such a good role model was his code of honor.  Three words which we don't hear too often these days.  I got to thinking about discussions we'd had recently on how he lived his life.  It seems folks can always think of experiences and examples of day to day life with someone.  However when my family combined all of our memories of life with my father we had only one result.  Our memories were not really of actual events or stories, our memories were of the man that he was, the man he grew in Christ to be and that was a man of honor. 

Honor might imply perfection; however perfection is the farthest thing from my thoughts.  Honor is something much deeper, honor is making tough decisions, the decisions you either face head-on or cowardly run away from.  Honorable people face those decisions that often result in taking the more difficult path because it is the right thing to do rather than taking the easy way out.  They are the black and white decisions of wrong verses right.  A true man of honor however, knows that living a life only in black and white might not always be the right thing.  Sometimes in our lives decisions require compassion or more often they require empathy.  The world around us likes to put people in a box and makes folks uncomfortable when they cannot seem to fit everything into that box.  Our world cannot wrap its mind around someone doing something against the grain, especially if it involves morals or values.  Instead we learn being black white in our moral decisions is wrong or close-minded. Growing up, here I had always thought black and white meant sticking to your personal beliefs and ethical code or “sticking to your guns” as I prefer!  Just when I wrapped my head around the world wanting me to think grayer and just blend in better, it changed the rules.  Now, I learned that being “gray” can imply wishy-washy, flaky behavior; someone ready to lean whichever way the wind blows.  Now I was stumped and didn’t know what to think.  I thought adding a little gray to my palette meant that sometimes not every situation I would face could be handled the same, I might need to add some heart to the equation. 

It seems I had figured out the exact situation that millions were finding themselves in.  Across the nation & world, today's population is at an all-time low of not sure what kind of decisions to make anymore, often they just let someone else decide for them.  We are surrounded by a new acceptance of folks just sitting on their thumbs waiting for the world around them to decide how they should think.

I do know that I am still quite capable of making my own decisions: black, white, gray, pick a color.  The decision I was quickly able to make was my thankfulness for the 25 years I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a man with honor.  His honor gave me an example of living life that was far different than what the world tells us every day.  All this reflection over recent weeks led me to a final decision that it is okay to be more of a charcoal thinker, I could blend my solid black & white values with some gray based thoughts every now and then, end up being exactly the person God meant for me to be.  I was confident in my thoughts because I had been influenced by a strong, self-assured role model that had conviction in his every decision.  When the world told me it's not "cool" to go after your passions, not okay to befriend the person that didn't fit into a mold, or remain ethical no matter the cost; someone else in my life showed me differently.  As humans we all struggle doing the right thing all the time and we always will as perfection is out of reach.  However, if we keep people around us that live to a similar code of honor, we should be just fine. 

As we in this industry face each day, let us remain holding tight to our code of honor.  Every day seems to get more and more difficult to live as cattlemen in this world, let alone as cattlemen with honor.  Are we going to take the easy way, no matter how unethical or deceitful it is?  Or will we take the more difficult road, remaining true to what we know is right?  My hope is our industry remains true to what has been instilled in us as the right thing to do.  Do not listen to world's voice inside your head telling you nice guys finish last.  Nice guys will always finish first at the very end of the race, their perseverance and endurance of remaining honorable puts them ahead when it matters most.  Our industry is up against the grayest of gray thinkers every single day.  Many out there do not have personal values anymore or have their own true opinions.  Let us continue thinking outside the box, while bringing black & white values with us every step of the way.  If we are able to remain open minded enough to adapt to situations that block our path, yet remain strong enough in ourselves to not get lost along the way, we will be able to finish first when it truly matters.

Spokane Public Hearing: Wolf Plan

Come listen to the proposed wolf plan for Washington State. There are public hearings happening across the entire state. They need to hear from ranchers, livestock owners, and wild game supporters of the devastation this plan would have on our state animal populations.


Spokane, Oct. 27, Spokane Valley Center Place, 2426 N. Discovery Place 6:30PM

Take Care Of Your Friends-Baxter Black

Friend is a word that I don't throw around
Though it's used and abused, I still like the sound.
I save it for people who've done right by me
And I know I can count on, if ever need be.

Some of my friends drive big limousines
Own ranches and banks and visit with queens,
And some of my friends are up to their neck
In overdue notes and can't write a check.

They're singers or ropers or writers of prose
And others, God bless 'em, can't blow their own nose!
I guess being friends don't have nothing' to do
With talent or money or knowing who's who.

It's a comfortable feeling when you don't have to care,
'Bout choosing your words or being quite fair.
'Cause friends'll just listen and let go on by
Those words you don't mean and not bat an eye.

It makes a friend happy to see your success.
They're proud of your good side and forgive all the rest.
And that ain't so easy, all of the time,
Sometimes I get crazy and seem to go blind!

Your friend just might have to take you on home,
Or remind you sometime, that you're not alone.
Or ever so gently pull you back to the ground,
When you think you can fly, with no one around.

A hug or a shake, whichever seems right
Is the high point of giving, I'll tell you tonight,
All worldly riches and tributes of men,
Can't hold a candle to the worth of a friend.

Written by: Baxter Black

Center For Consumer Freedom: Rational Thinkers best friend!!!

http://www.consumerfreedom.com

NCBA Young Producers Council National Blog: "CATTLE CALL"

This announcement is long overdue but when God is running your life his business tends to come before your own planned schedule! :) The NCBA Young Producers Council has been diligently working in the workshop based in the land of blogosphere for many months. Thanks in large part to Cari Rinker of the YPC, there is now a daily blog made up of YPC members up and running! 'Cattle Call' features a different blogger daily from every region of the US. I have signed on to be on of the contributing bloggers. Hopefully we will be able to get WA on the map and remind folks there's TWO Washingtons!

Please check add Cattle Call to your list of favorites and support this great new addition to our wealth of industry resources.  Check it out today and let me know what you think!

http://ypcblog.beefusa.org/

AGInfo.Net-Positive Media Exposure for WCA and Cattle Industry!

http://www.aginfo.net/index.cfm/event/report/id/Farm-Bureau-Report-Voice-of-Idaho-Ag-News-14697

David Sparks with AgInfo.net in Idaho contacted me this August when the Capital Press article came out on the YCC trip. David and I had a great time chatting while I was driving home one weekend from Spokane. David shares the passion of getting every generation involved in educating others on our cattle and agriculture industry-from youth to seniors!

We can either sit in sorrow or we can fight with what resources we have! There are good people all around ready to help us fight this battle, we just have to put one foot forward! Capital Press, AgInfo.Net, K102.3 and others have all helped me promote our industry for FREE! Good people with good vision are just around the corner!

YWCA 1st official meeting at WSU!!!

Hi Everyone,

The first official meeting for the Young Washington Cattlemen's Association WSU group is tomorrow evening in Clark Hall Reading Room. Wednesday October 14th 6:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about our WSU student group that is part of the Washington Cattlemen's Association.

Featuring:

• PIZZA
• POP
• Special Guests:

Washington Cattlemen's Association President Dick Coon, 1st Vice President Larry Olberding, and Executive Director Jack Field!

• Discuss upcoming WCA annual state convention, fundraising, plan NW YCC tour with at Beef Northwest this winter, media outreach, and many other great topics!

We can't wait to see you all there, please pass this on to anyone who would be interested in learning more about this new group. We would love for you to have a role in this revolutionary and ground-breaking leadership opportunities available in the state and national cattle industry!

Please email or call with any questions, I will see you tomorrow.

Relationships

(This is an article I wrote back in the spring, although it is long past spring I really felt a push to post this. The people and events in this article mean a great deal to my family and meant a great deal to my father. I know the relationships he began will continue to watch out for my family and I.)

This time of year brings much-anticipated signs of spring finally arriving. A few days of warmer temperatures have made it our way and the smell of sagebrush in the air. For many ranchers spring is the social season of the year. Between neighbor’s brandings and cattlemen field days this is a great time to reconnect with folks you haven’t seen in awhile or get to know the new faces in your area. Our connections to one another are the most important piece of survival in agriculture and in our daily lives. Today’s world has given us more luxury and quicker ways to get our everyday tasks done. However, has it really made us more connected to one another? Are you still driving across the valley to have a cup of coffee with your neighbor like you did 10 years ago or does it seem you just wave in passing these days?

Agriculture is about more than just farming and ranching. It is about relationships; relationships with the land, yourself, and with other people. Many people believe grass is the most valuable resource a rancher can have. I am hard pressed to disagree except when it comes to our relationships with those around us. What kind of person do you aspire to be, or more importantly what kind of rancher do you aspire to be? Many people can produce cattle that will gain and perform well. Can all of those same cattlemen be counted on physically, mentally, and emotionally when life throws a curveball their way or their neighbor’s way? This spring, put some of the same time and care into the relationships with people around you that you put into growing your grass. You never know what may happen to you or your loved ones. But I guarantee if you have built strong relationships with those around you, you won’t have to worry if you aren’t able to get your irrigation changed, your hay up, or calves branded. The folks you can truly call friends will be found on your range or in your barnyards with a full crew in place. They know that when life deals them a rough card, the favor will surely be repaid.

There is no greater example of these relationships in the cattle industry than this year’s Kittitas County Cattlemen of the Year. This year’s award goes to the very deserving Scott Gress family. I hope that many of you had the opportunity to drive out to Thorp on May 21^st to pay congratulations, enjoy a good evening of building relationships, and more importantly had the opportunity to meet this family if you haven’t yet. There are some people in this world who have what is important inside and out. Scott and Sandy Gress are those people. As cattlemen in Washington we are truly blessed to have them as producers in our state. Scott and Sandy will be the first people to drive 50 miles to help you gather cows off the range, give a friend a call when they know they know it’s needed, or offer some wisdom to the younger generation. They would never expect a thing in return and will work twice as hard to get their own work done in order to help out a friend. The Gress family is a true testament to the many kinds of relationships the cattle industry requires. Strong relationships and connections is a foundation in their daily lives, from their stockmanship skills to their friendships. The Gress’ have touched lives wherever life has taken them. There are many things that can be learned from this family and I hope that all of you are fortunate enough to get an opportunity to do so.

In this world no one will remember your cattle in twenty years but they will remember the quality of your relationships. We have all been given the opportunity to build these relationships, take the time now before life doesn’t give you a second chance.

John Douglas Feusner

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

John Douglas Feusner, 59 of Selah, passed away Friday September 18, 2009 at his home surrounded by his beloved wife and children. John was born in 1950 to Dr. Henry and Mary Edith Feusner in Longview, WA. John was raised in Longview until he attended college at Washington State University. He married Frances Schneider early 1973 and graduated from WSU that spring with his B.S. in Animal Science. At WSU John was active in the Beef Center, College Rodeo Team and Block & Bridle Club. He made many dear friendships that would continue throughout his life. Upon graduation John and Frances settled in Selah to operate Schneider-Feusner cattle ranch. Their first child, John W was born the following winter. John worked hard and steadfast as a cattleman in the early years of their move to Selah. His hard work ethic and honor to his family was something later he would be well known for. In 1975 Schneider-Feusner Ranch was named Yakima County Cattlemen of the Year. This achievement was very meaningful to him and his wife. He remained active in the Washington Cattlemen's Association long after this honor. In 1977 John and Fran welcomed their second child, Jacob. At that time the family was actively involved in Central Lutheran church and John served on the church council. Later, they attended Memorial Bible Church and he counted many there as dear friends. In 1984 they welcomed their third child, daughter Jenna. John's family was truly complete with the addition of his three grandchildren: Henry, Anna, and Mary Feusner. He was very proud of each of their character and kind hearts. Everything from soccer games, ranch visits, to card games with the kids was a blessing.

In addition to running a cattle and hay ranch and raising his family, John was active in a variety of organizations. Some of his involvements include Washington Cattlemen's Association, Wenas Volunteer Fire Department, Wenas Irrigation Board, Yakima County Weed Board, Kellogg Foundation, Solar Dollars, and numerous others. John was an avid lifelong learner in all pursuits. Many years ago he studied Holistic Resource Management and strived daily to be a good steward of the land thru ranching. However, the greatest of John's accomplishments was his ability to evolve & improve the relationships with those closest to him. He used the many trials God had placed in his life to live every day better than the previous day. In the last decade of John's life it was his relationships with Christ, his wife and children that would be his finest legacy. His spirit contained a presence of the Lord's work that could not be denied and his life inspired many. Throughout his family's trials he was never without laughter, a good sense of humor, and most importantly hope and a positive attitude.

John overcame all odds during his strong and inspiring cancer fight of nearly six years. Choosing never to know his prognosis, he put every day in the Lord's hands with his positivity and strength never wavering. We would like to thank Dr. Jones and her staff at North Star Cancer Care. John and Fran grew to know them very well and thankful they shared similar optimistic attitudes. North Star was a blessing to our family; John received incredible care locally and they shared his desire to live life as if he wasn't a cancer patient.

John is survived by his beloved wife and partner of 36 years Frances Feusner, 3 children John W. (Sarah) Feusner, Jacob Feusner, Jenna Feusner, and his three adored grandchildren; Henry, Anna, and Mary Feusner, all of Yakima Valley. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Edith Feusner Walla Walla, WA, sister Jo Ellen (Roger) Dillon Walla Walla, WA, brother Dr. James Feusner (Patricia) Oakland, CA, and sister Jennifer Leach of Longview, WA. John is preceded in death by his father Dr. Henry Feusner, sister Judith Hogan, and nephew Justin Hogan.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, September 25th at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A Celebration of John's Life will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26, 2009 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Yakima, WA. A private family burial will be at Wenas Cemetery. Friends are encouraged to attend a reception immediately following the service to celebrate John's life at Running Springs Ranch, Naches, WA. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Keith and Keith Funeral Home.

"An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up" Proverbs 12:25
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
"Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." James 5: 14-15

I do not want this blog to turn into something that is meant to make anyone uncomfortable. My personal faith is what makes up who I am and the only reason I am able to put one foot in front of the other each day without crumbling. I am not strong enough on my own to get through things that happen in my personal life. I added those verses today since I have not posted anything in quite awhile. I have been very busy tending to some things at home with my family. Prayers are always welcome anytime:) and the YWCA events have taken a back burner for the time being. Everyone always seems to be telling me how much energy I have and I move at 100 mph! I have been diligently working at that pace to have some seeds started with hopes I would have some people interested in helping me with the Young Cattlemen ideas. I am fortunate to have some others on board who are excited and willing to help, my prayers were answered there. I will try to add items as I get time, but they may be a little further apart in this next little spell. :)

Grillin 'N Chillin: Preston Winery Pasco, WA

Join the Washington Cattle Feeders Association for an evening of grilled beef from Washington Beef, Tyson Fresh Meats, and Painted Hills Natural Beef. Also enjoy fine wine from Preston Premium Wines or a selection of popular beers

Saturday, September 26 Time: 3:00 to 7:00 P.M
Location: Preston Premium Wines
Winery Address: 502 E. Vineyard Drive, Pasco, WA 99301

Musical Guests: Highland Drive Band

Price Per Person: $40.00 Presale or $45.00 at the door

Tickets may be purchased:
· Online at www.bffairrodeo.com
· At Preston Premium Wines
· Mail coupon to WCFA, PO Box 1256, Quincy, WA 98848
· Email your request to ed@wafeeders.org
· Contact Ed at (509) 398-6253

When life gives us Memories

Free Publicity! Wait...did you say FREE?

Recession, welfare, stimulus, bail-outs.....BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! If I have to keep hearing these words I might just give someone a piece of mind. Oh wait-I think I have this teeny tiny tendency to do that anyways! :) Is anyone else sick of hearing people whine about the state of the nation and the world? I don't even have TV, so I can't imagine what those of you who do have it are feeling like. I've decided its probably best for my health if I don't even watch a bit of Fox News at the gym anymore.....or maybe its just the gym that I just need to veto instead :)

Since I work for an agriculture lending company, I have a slight insight to what the economy is doing and I'd like to share my profound wisdom with you: The World is Not Ending! Yep-I am really that wise! The economy is a little worse than it has been in the past couple years, a few more people have lost some jobs, and prices of goods have risen slightly. Get over it or do something about it. Those are your options so you better choose wisely. The best bet would be to stop listening to the naysayers. Turn off the TV, turn off the radio talk-shows, and turn on some good old music. The older the better too! If you want to instantly feel better about your life listen to a song or read a book about yesteryear-its an instant happiness lift, guaranteed to make you feel better about life today!

I always have thought that people who didn't have everything were much more creative than those who had it all. You ever think about just how many writers, singers, and poets were faced hard times before they made it "big". The newbies all lie about their hard times, I'm talking about the old folks: Loretta Lynn, Mark Twain, etc. When you don't have everything, the only thing you do have is the ability to think and dream. You get creative about finding a way to get where you want to go. If there is a will, there is a way-the strong-willed will know just what I'm talking about.

As we all know the Cattle Industry is usually not dancing around in piles of money. The cattlemen's association is no different. Pay for advertising? Nope, that's definitely not going to work-how was I going to get more people involved if they don't know about us? I sure as heck didn't get very creative. I called the radio station. That was it-one phone call ended up with a sound-byte they started playing. I crossed my fingers they would want to hear more and let me on the air for a "segment". Who says that you need to "pay" to get heard? Grab hold of your confidence, brush up on your sense of humor and get out there on the airwaves. The WCA, WA Beef Commission, NCBA, and the BEEF Industry owes this station thousands in advertising by now. I spent 2 hours in the studio the first time I worked with K102.3 and frankly I didn't want to leave. If they were closer I would go in every Friday and work the morning show. I've called in numerous times since then to advertise Bloomsday, Beef Day on the Hill, the WCA Scholarships, etc. I have an open invitation to come talk in the studio or to call-in with some new information.

Pick up the phone and grab onto some of the free money that's out there. You will do far better for our industry than sitting around reading the weather and you will make some friends and business associates in the process. Tell them about what WE are doing for them day in and out, get out and tell our agriculture story!

30 days to live?

Do you count down the minutes of each day waiting for it to become the next? What do you spend your time on earth doing? If your not really sure what you are doing every day, you might be simply taking up space and much needed oxygen! Maybe we should all push ourselves a little more than that! We were given a soul and a very large brain. Use them, preferably both at the same time. :) No more counting down the minutes, because you never know when it could be your last minute breathed, or someone who is close to you. Consciously start thinking daily about what you are doing here and what you are spending your time doing. If you knew you had 30 days to live would you live your life the same way? If you would spend your time differently, then what is stopping you from doing the same right now?

Ma'am where's the emergency stop button?

Am I the only one that feels like I'm on a treadmill, or even worse a rat wheel and I can't get off? Whew! I actually think I'm starting to exhaust MYSELF these days-and if you know me then you know I passed you a long ways back! :) So much goes on in a day, that sometimes I feel like a week went by. So just some brief little tidbits of really exciting changes, things to come, and buzz on the "street"!

**Well, a brief snippet from Bloomberg today-Argentina may need to import beef for the first time EVER due to a couple year long drought they've been dealing with! I hate to celebrate one man's curse, but it is another man's blessing. If only we could be so lucky, especially if we can export some of our product to them! :) Fingers Crossed!!! These foreign export markets are absolutely essential to our industry-increases sales in a downward home economy but also these other countries will eat up parts of the carcass that Americans wouldn't dream of touching! I know I got a good wave of excitement this afternoon when I read the article!

**Officially joined the "Cattle Knowledge Team" of my company this week. My first conference call is Friday afternoon so I'm excited for what I'm to hear from across our 4 state region & also nervous for the work and mental challenges headed my way! This will be a GREAT resource for me personally to help build my all encompassing of every level of the industry and a big win for the YWCA venture & WCA as well. I hope WA cattlemen will be a great resource for me to share with others what our cattlemen's need, hopes, and fears are!

**Talked with a WSU Alum this weekend who has been eagerly wanting to get more involved with the WCA, and helping with the YWCA! That is literally an answer to my prayers. I can't do this alone folks. I was hoping to plant a little tiny seed of enthusiasm & watch it grow! I would love and NEED all the help I can get. I've never started a brand new charter group before and its daunting! I'm not artistic or super creative in the design department so bonus points if someone out there is! :) Thank you Lacy for wanting to get on board and be game for whatever I throw your way!!!

**I spoke with Kirsten this evening, the gal we are designating as the Student Director of the YWCA this year! Cows bellowing in the background, and kids hollering proved she was calling me in between showing and herdsmanship duties at her cattle show in Lynden! Kirsten has been so supportive, EXCITED and willing to help in any way since the very first day I asked her early last spring if she thought there would be any interest for youth in a college presence of the WCA! I only needed that one person who was looking for a group like this to be involved in and I could test my idea & I found my person! I love that those that have stepped up are game for an adventure that hasn't been tried before-they'll be mistakes, and falls, and hard paths to cut but they are just as excited to try as I am and that is all you need for success! :)

**I've been in contact with the NCBA Young Producer's Council leadership this week as they contacted all of us who showed interest in being a media contact for our individual states! They are starting a YPC Blog, a YPC twitter, encouraging everyone to get their MBA (Masters of Beef Advocacy degree) and then setting up webinar courses for us on further media training and policy briefing! I am SO excited for whats to come with this media outreach group. I only wish I could just focus on this stuff all day long....those dang day jobs sure do get in the way sometimes! :) More to come on this awesome venture from the NCBA YPC!

**BIG THINGS are happening every day through the MBA graduates, YCC Alum, YPC members-look for us. We are out there on every social network site posting FACTUAL information on the beef industry, responding to false stories, urban myths, and rumors on blogs, newspapers, television, and radio.

**My next goal is to get some Team Zip gear and try to get my rusty old hips to run some races here in the next year! (Ssshhh...just don't tell my physical therapists!!) They have a great blog on here: Team Zip The Power of Protein!

Monopolies: Good, Bad, or Indifferent?

The past couple days I've had much on my mind. My mind can be a pretty a scary place to be in most of the time, especially trying to muddle your way through some thoughts! :) Lately I've been thinking a lot about monopolies. Monopoly can be a pretty dirty word in the English language and a taboo topic most folks like to shelve for another day's conversation. But what is it about this word that gets us so fired up? Is it the fear of a socialistic, government-monopolized nation? Is it man's competitive nature rising to the surface and not wanting their neighbor to be stronger & more powerful than them? Is it lack of education or is it all of the above?

I'd like this topic to be my next Ketch Pen article but I wanted to bring it up to get people thinking. Are all monopolies truly bad? Or do we only think of them as bad because it has been imprinted on us from a young age? I have staggeringly different opinions depending on the industry, company, and situation, which obviously shows my lack of knowledge or education on the subject. I'm in no position to go on the O'Reilly factor any time soon arguing my opinions!

The monopoly "battle" I'm most familiar with is the one that has seemed to follow Microsoft around for nearly the life of the company. Now, I fully understand the importance of competition and all the benefits that healthy competition provides. However, in the case of Microsoft specifically can one company help that they have created a hold on an entire market through making a product that no other company has been able to recreate as well? Are we going to punish every person and every company who just happens to be the best in their class? It would be like telling Tiger Woods that he has to give up every win he has ever had just because he is better than his competitors.

Now on the opposite end of the spectrum for me is Wal-Mart. I fully believe that Wal-Mart is an example of an unhealthy monopoly. Now they not technically have a full-fledge hold on the market but they are certainly close and one could say there company's success has changed American Industry. I bring up Wal-Mart because of the fact that their stores with grocery sections can be very frustrating to shop in due to the fact they often only carry 1 or 2 brands of a product. When a corporation who has thousands of locations carries only a few brands in their stores, they are creating a chain of monopolies that trickle on down to every supplier, transporters, and even growers of their products. Do we need to worry about one corporation in one industry being a monopoly when we could have one corporation change multiple industries?

I wanted to get the thoughts rolling on the whole monopoly debacle because the biggest monopoly chatter I have always heard has been in relation to the PACKERS. That's right, I blew the cover right off of that bottled up topic!!! Are the packers a monopoly? If they are a true monopoly, does it really matter? Have you ever thought that perhaps all the regulations today make it almost not impossible for the strongest contender to stay? Survival of the fittest in food processing? You can't have it all ways....you can't have the safest supply in the world, the healthiest, the greatest amount, and STILL have multiple companies trying to save in that arena.

Hmm.....gets ya thinking doesn't it? :) Next WCA ketch pen article is brewing.............

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......

Our preferences to nature's landscapes are a wonderful example of what each of us deem "beautiful" are independent opinions from one another. Do you feel that the most beautiful landscapes in the world are similar to what you saw outside your kitchen window growing up? The scablands or deserts of the US can be called eye-sores, or God's Country....its all in which lenses you are looking through! :)

Yesterday was a busy day for me. In addition to my actual "day" job I fit in a meeting in the morning at Senator Cathy McMorris Rodger's Spokane District Office. I met her Agriculture and Natural Resource Director, Mike Poulson. I had never spoken with Mike before and it was nice to sit down and chat about issues from healthcare & immigration reform to environmental policy and our state's constant agricultural legal woes! Mike is from Connell, WA and works for Cathy from our own state rather than residing in WA DC. That is such a blessing for our farmers and ranchers to have someone situated here locally giving our state Senator updates on the issues he is seeing firsthand. I left armed with some great ideas for getting more young people involved in the WCA and in agriculture issues in general.

When I was finally out of the office for the day and on my drive to Selah, I fit in a phone interview with AgInfoNet radio. I had been contacted earlier in the week by David Sparks who covers the program for them in Southern Idaho. After reading the great article on the YCC, WCA, and YWCA in the Capital Press, he was interested in bottling some of this enthusiasm and excitement for his Idaho listeners. My schedule had been so crazy this week that the time that seemed to work the best was 8PM last night while I was cruising along I-90...(oh hands-free of course right? wink wink!) David was a pleasure to speak with and is so supportive of everything the WCA and myself are trying to do in involving younger people and really taking action to save our industry! He said he would do whatever he could to help and it was great talking with someone who was also positive and excited about agriculture!

Everyone at my company this week has been abuzz over the Capital Press Article! The article was more than I could have it imagined it to be and is helping us do what I had hoped. It is not about me or anything I really even did on the YCC-its about creating a feeling of hope and enthusiasm in people, whether they are involved directly in the cattle industry or not! You are your own best or worst enemy and I hope that people can find hope in something out there in life. There is prosperity and life all around us if we choose to see it. You can listen to the news 24/7 and allow fear and worry get you down or listen to that doomsday/world-ending person next to you and allow their despair shred your sail.....OR you can choose to listen to those people that are willing to work through adversity and rough patches, knowing that a hillclimb is ALWAYS followed by an easy care-free descent!

Enjoy your weekend! :)

The Three C's: Cows, Constitution, Commandments

I recieved this as an email a few days ago from someone I work with who works out of one of our Montana offices. I went through our training "class" with him, he is about my age and from a ranch in Eastern Montana. Got to love those Eastern Montanans! I think this sums up how many of us feel-and the reference to BSE in the US is ironic considering I am from that county! :) You aren't alone in your thoughts and feelings these days. Its ok to state your opinion and not shy away from someone knowing you might be conservative, a christian, a gun-owner, a meat-eater, etc. What is not okay is to let only the other side be "allowed" to say their beliefs and them not allow us to share ours. Freedom...remember that??
(here's my contribution to speaking my mind..hehe:) my good friend Rachel found this and had to give it to me b/c she knew I would get plenty of use out of it...definitely a good party bag...lots of storage space for bottles of.........water....duh!:>)

Think About This: The Three C's: Cows, Constitution, Commandments

COWS

Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing
that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track
a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right
to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington ?
And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are
unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around
our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow..

THE CONSTITUTION

They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for
Iraq ... Why don't we just give them ours? It was
written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for
over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore..

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

The real reason that we can't have the Ten
Commandments posted in a courthouse or Congress is this --
you cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' 'Thou
Shalt Not Commit Adultery' and 'Thou Shall Not
Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and
politicians .... it creates a hostile work environment.

Montana skies, good friends, and..........liberals??

I've been pretty darn busy the past couple weeks-hence the sparse posts! This morning I'm writing from one of my favorite places I've worked and spent 1/4 of my year the last couple years. I am in the middle of nowhere Montana.....well at least the ranch is its own little middle-of-nowhere haven! This is the first summer in the last few that I have not worked out here at this guest ranch. Needless to say I'm missing it quite a bit this summer, I spent all my waking hours working outside, meeting people from all over the country and even the world, and being with some good friends. I'm lucky to have made some life-long friends from my experiences there so I came back for a little visit and a few of us are going to head to Great Falls tonight for a road trip and concert!

It is really interesting when you think about places around the country. Here I am in Montana, in between ranch country and the Bob Marshall, yet I'm surrounded by more Obama stickers, hippies and the such than anywhere I've been lately. It always make me wonder how people get to the point where they go to the extreme left and are able to keep their blinders on, ignoring the world right outside their backdoor. Western Montana is a great example of that, in my mind. It is an area that is rich in diversity from timber, cattle, mining, to its incredible biodiversity and amazing natural resources. How is it possible that people living in the heart of an agriculturally dense, natural area could be so clueless to deciphering truth and hype?

What I have learned from my many summers spent working about an hour east of Missoula, is that no place is too far removed from the leftists' agendas and their voices can be heard from even the deepest canyons. We have a job to do! People EVERYWHERE don't understand about farming and ranching and they aren't going to learn unless we teach them! I work for an ag lending company and there are many people alongside us who don't know anything about the farmers and ranchers that we lend to. Sometimes they believe the same crazy stories being portrayed in the media that those infamous country music stars buy into. Because most people believe the media is their source for "fact-filled" news, they are flying blind-folded. We need to take every opportunity to educate them. Recently, my boss hosted a field-day to take certain employees of our company to show them a farm, harvest, and different types of equipment. Many of the people who went had never even been on a farm or ranch, yet they work for a company that lives and breathes agriculture!!! We all know what happens when we make assumptions.....so don't assume someone knows what goes on at your farm or ranch. Take the opportunity to show them pictures, tell them a story, or take them out their for dinner, on your lunch break or for the whole day! You will not only teach someone about our industry, but possibly gain a new friend in the process!

Political Careers

I'd say we have a future as lawmakers, wouldn't you? :) This picture is from our YCC trip, during our congressional visits, as seen here with Doc Hastings! Wouldn't the world make a lot of sense if we had a bunch of rational hard working ranchers creating our laws, deciding our taxes and budgets? Whew.............. :)

So my last post was a bit heated and off the cuff, whew guess I can get fired up sometimes! :) On the bright side, at least you know where you stand with me and I won't be wishy-washy on an issue right?? :):)

“The art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing”

This was forwarded onto me this morning as the quote of the day. How about we just make it the quote of 2009? Today was an intense day to an end of an intense couple of weeks regarding cattle, agriculture, and environmental issues. Between Obama's health-care plan flowchart, the lawsuit against the WA DOE regarding stockwater, HSUS & ALL they entail, and the parents from my hometown of Selah, WA suing JBS Swift-I'm exhausted. I have had enough call-to-actions, letters to write to papers & lawmakers, and blog comments that I would be RICH if I could just get paid to do that all day! :) So the question is: to give up now because the end is near or stand and fight? Hmmm.... STAND & FIGHT of COURSE! :):) Any of you who know me, know I would say that. Remember, I should have gone to law school to make good use of my Negotiating skills (also known to some as arguing skills)!

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel to all of this? Maybe I should just sell my land, sell my cows, give up my water rights while I still have a chance? Maybe you should-but if you have any gumption and will in your bones you won't let a few wackos decide your life for you. There is some hope in all of this, you just have to be willing to put in some blood, sweat, and tears, along with some typing, talking, and reading!

People are fighting FOR US everyday and when you find examples of that-thank them. I found letters to the editors today on the Yakima Herald Republic that were fighting for us ranchers and providing a positive image and truthful knowledge to the public. There are people out there who are "telling our agriculture story" and have been for years without going on a YCC, or taking the Masters of Beef Advocacy course. Heck-these people invented ideas such as those! All each one of us has to do is just start being heard. Take some initiative and write some letters, educate some people about science based facts-instead of letting them be educated by the media, government, and other radicals! And remember, find those people who are doing actions all across the country in little ways to fight for your way of life and THANK THEM! :)

Stupidity

Ladies and gentlemen of the United States if the picture to the left isn't proof then I don't know what is: Here is the proof that you are 100% an IDIOT if you voted for this man!

Disgusting, ridiculous, absurd. I don't care if every man in this world checks people out. The so-called "leader" of the most powerful country in the world is STUPID and has no self-control for doing this in PUBLIC! What a wonderful role-model for our nation-might as well have Howard Stern be our next president.

Socialism, communism, Stupidism-I rest my case!

Grateful to be back on the Eastside!

I haven't updated a new post in awhile as I have been on the go! Well, I'm always on the go:) but we were traveling a bit! I headed to Mattawa, WA for the 4th of July and got to spend the weekend with a great friend of mine from college and her husband. We had a low-key affair and just enjoyed good conversation, drinks, and of course great beef! I taught her how to make kabobs (she's not a very experienced cook) and beef definitely was what was for dinner! Mattawa is a pretty interesting town as anyone who has heard of it knows but it is a very diverse agricultural area so its great to be there in the heart of the growing season.

When I got back to my folk's place, I took my folks to Seattle for my dad's treatment at Swedish Cancer Institute. He is on a new trial there for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with Dr. West, who is a very renowned oncologist on the west coast. He officially started the new drug and will be taking it in conjunction with Tarceva, the other cancer drug he has been on in the past. Both the Dr. and the nurse running the trial are extremely nice, positive people, and both have a great sense of humor. All traits needed and appreciated by my dad, or anyone going through this stuff.

I officially started a "Twitter" account, which I'm almost embarrassed to admit. I swore I wasn't going to get on that thing. However, on Dr. West's website it shows his Twitter posts and one was about my dad: "Saw a very nice cowboy today (never-smoker, no less!), now 5.5 yrs out from his Dx w/NSCLC & brain mets. Wouldn’t have imagined it possible."

That was enough to have me start a twitter and follow Dr. West. My dad truly is a miracle. Even a leading lung cancer oncologist can't believe he has overcome the odds of this disease for over 5.5 years!

Anything is possible in this world, so don't let anyone tell you any different. We can't control what happens to us in life, but we can control how we choose to respond. Its not up to us when we leave this earth and don't let someone try to decide your destiny for you!