LiFe LeSSons fRoM a coWBoy to HiS dauGHter

Life Lessons from a Cowboy to his Daughter

My dad is a cowboy
His rules are my roots.
He taught me his ways-
 I followed his boots.

To a gun-fight don’t bring
A knife, he once said.
Always follow your heart
But don’t lose your head.

I knew I could jump
Whenever I felt froggy
But I was never to let
My pack become soggy.

He saw through my games-
Even at my worst.
Because my rodeo
Was never his first.

Finally-I should rein
With a strong, sure hand
Because as long as I live
I’ll ride for his brand.

by Amanda Stavropoulos

Poem of the Week for 10/19 

Cowboys and Indian Magazine

NSCLC/CANCER (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer)

It has taken me quite the dose of time but I have updated my NSCLC/Cancer page above and it is important for me to direct y'all there. I have not wanted to add any words to that page, mostly because I have always felt each video spoke for itself. However, there are links to CancerGRACE, a non-profit foundation providing educational resources to patients/caregivers that I am passionate about people knowing is out there.

I enocourage you to head to the site, and pass along the information to any and all that may benefit from this amazing resource.

...If you need inspiration..well I may be biased but there is none better than the man I wish was able to teach me more in the 25 years I had him...I recommend "Success with Tarceva" to kick you off...modern medicine isn't always perfect..but it ain't always deserving of the bad rap it receives...a little like the rap that is too oft thrown the way of steward of the land cattlemen...

Green Beers & St. Patricks Day-memories of learning from my dad on enjoying LiFe

Yummm!!! Today is a day for happiness and enjoyment I've decided! Leave it to the Irish. ;) I've had my share of bumps and bruises this year and even as of recently. Many recent changes in my life have signaled big changes ahead. Those changes have brought some emotions I was not expecting. Not bad emotions, just....emotions! :) The only St. Patricks day I guess I really even "celebrated" was one that could not be beat and boy am I glad for those now!

The day was a beautiful March day...back in 2005. I was much younger back then ;), hips weren't filled with pain, back was missing a few permament big ol' bumps, and I was LeArNiNg each and every day! Not only was I LearNinG...I was LiViNg! Why, I was working at our Cattle growing lot right beside my father....just a bit past the 1 year mark of his Stage IV non small cell lung cancer diagnosis! Boy were we living. Rather than plague ourselves with the WHYS of someone so healthy and never smoked caught a "smokers disease", we just got to work! We lived life no differently than before...well a little differently. No more afternoon snickers bars for my dad (aka Cowboy's Lunch) with my mom's new strict no-sugar diet, otherwise what I referred to as the no-fun diet! ;) It also meant that a special trip to "The Mining Company" after the end of a LONG & WINNDDY day at the growing lot meant my dad didn't feel much like a green beer! Never saw my folks drink much when we were little anyways, so no surprise that St. Paddy's day didn't send him into tailspins for a Beer when he's taking Chemo, Radiation, and Ranch work all in stride! Nope, in fact I am pretty sure his 2005 St. Patricks day Green Beer, came in the form of a short glass Vodka Cranberry. The question of that evening was, "Do you think your mother will be more upset of the sugar in the vodka or the sugar in the cranberry juice?"

Tonight I won't be enjoying a green beer or a vodka cranberry with my best friend, but I know he will be right there with me, smiling down and still chuckling with me over the liTTle things in LiFe we all were able to find humor and EnJoYmEnt in! Dad, tonight my cranberry vodka will be ordered just for you....I love you :)

Man's Best Friend

I thought today's post would put a smile on most y'all's faces! Perfect picture to take us into this holiday weekend and discuss a lil love for animals A gal I work with obliges me with photos of her adorable, quirky dog TuCkEr! She got him from the pound 2.5 years ago. I've heard rescue pets can have quite the personality and I'd say Tucker fits the bill. Chasing animals on tv, floating the river, and other tasks are among his favorite pasttimes.

Anyone who's been in the ranching world understands sentiment towards that one animal we all have had that just has a personality for days. Those are the animals that hold a soft-spot in your heart for years or practically have a place in the family. :) That older horse that has a way of buttering you up even as it unties itself or opens the gate, the cow dog who doubles as a sleepy house dog, or the old mama cow or sheep that has practically babysat your kids some days! :) Fluffy, was our ewe that held that role in our family. When Fluffy was in her elder years she just roamed around with no worries of needing to be fenced in. She gave my brother twins or triplets almost every year but her value was more than her high mothering ability. My strong and tough rancher dad was who nurtured her through every delivery and nurtured her through her older years.
(My dad, below, knew a good partner from early on.)

Animal Welfare activists make most ranchers I know just scratch their heads. Those tough, mustached, weathered cowboys will be the first to tear up if they lose a favorite animal or even come across that just delivered calf. Of course, you'd never get them to admit and I'm sure you'll hear, "Dang hay blew in my eye again." You don't spend 365 days a year taking care of your pride and joy cow herd for career status thats for sure. Ranchers spend night day in 100 degree to sub zero temperatures because they are some of the only people in this world that have a love for cows and horses that is truly unmatched. The difference is in their RESPECT for their animals. A horse and a dog are truly both a ranchers best friend and business partner. They will spend more time with their cattle, horses, and dogs than they will with their wife and children guaranteed....thats why you better value "quality time" as what you have during a nice bumpy pickup ride or accept "loving chats" as the hollering back and forth between feed wagon and tractor. Otherwise your husband will be out there discussing his life problems with that ole mama cow chewing her cud.

CancerGRACE

My passion for agriculture is obvious, however my passion for educational advovacy in general is what makes me tick. Advocating for cancer is something that has tugged at my heart for quite some time now...in fact Dr. Jack West's efforts is what led me to more social networking to advocate cattle & ag even more! While I can't quite get my writing back full force, I have found an outlet for both my faith and continued hope that no matter what happens to us life can still be pretty darn ok.

Please check out his wonderful non-profit website CancerGRACE and suggest it immediately to anyone you know who is fighting this disease. Global Resource for Advancing Cancer Education is one of the greatest tools available to help you and your family receive high quality cancer education. Dr. West is an oncologist at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, one focus of his being Lung Cancer. An oncologist of my father's for just a short time, he was just another wonderful medical professional we were able to cross paths with. I only wish I would have had access to his site a few years ago! Rather than trying to learn about your cancer from the blogging sites, hear first hand from oncologists who are working with cutting edge research, trials, and have access to the best minds in medicine!

I still firmly believe cancer does not have to be a word that means you better plan your funeral, say your goodbyes, and head for the beach. Our lives can be taken from us at any moment no matter if we have stage IV cancer, marathon runner health, are age 18 or age 98. We are born into this world knowing we are mortal, and we will not come out alive. God has given us the minds, bodies, AND hearts to do all we can in the years we have. Educate your mind and power up that will to live no matter what trial you are facing!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  ~Jeremiah 29:11

www.cancerGRACE.org

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.

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

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.