Thoughts from the Middle of Nowhere

The New Year begins tomorrow and I am starting to see a lot of resolutions and predictions for it. So the question could be legitimately asked, what are your resolutions or predictions? Absolutely none. I am not into doing these thing for the New Year. I don't even really celebrate New Years. I don't understand the significance of the event so I don't take part. Jan 1 is such an arbitrary date for the New Year that i just can't quite wrap my mind around it.

I personally see the New Year start when I start calving on the ranch. New life abounds and green grass coming. This is a New Year for me. The activity and excitement of all those young calves exploring the world and enjoying life, the days getting noticeable longer and slowly, if ever so slowly, warming up. That's what a New Year is about, not some date on a calendar but based on the cycle of life.

Having said all that I want to wish all of you a Happy New Year. Mine will start in a while and I will celebrate then in my own way. With reflections on what the year meant to me and what I hope in the Year to come, along with a lot of work calving.

The only way to spend New Year's Eve is either quietly with friends or in a brothel. Otherwise when the evening ends and people pair off, someone is bound to be left in tears. W.H. Auden

I would like to point out Amazon's site to donate to the Red Cross to help tsunami disaster relief victims. Whatever you might feel about the Red Cross they are very good about getting relief efforts rolling and could use some help.

I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity. John D. Rockefeller

I just mentioned last night the news reported that the border is going to open with Canada. Now what happens? Canada reports another case of BSE. They are very quick to point out that it is in a 10 year old dairy cow which means it would not be able to be shipped to the US under the new rules. It's almost like they are doing this to prove they can catch any cows with BSE and not let them be shipped to the US. Hmm, conspiracy theorists will have a hey day with this.

Just as a side note from a beef producer. Most, if not all, cases of BSE stem from dairy cows not beef cows. This stems from the fact that most dairy cows are run in an confinement operation while beef cows are run on the open range. Makes me feel better about good quality beef and I hope it does you too.

It is, I think, an indisputable fact that Americans are, as Americans, the most self-conscious people in the world, and the most addicted to the belief that the other nations of the earth are in a conspiracy to under value them. Henry James

We all knew it was going to happen and the time is coming soon. The border is going to reopen to allow Canadian cattle to come into the US. You might remember I discussed that Canada still has problems with their feed production and could still be feeding animal parts to cattle which spreads BSE. I sure hope they know what they are doing.

One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning. James Russell Lowell

Again I fail to understand.

Schweitzer proposed spending $2.96 billion on his general fund budget over the next two years, for an increase of $45 million over the total general fund budget proposed by departing Republican Gov. Judy Martz. The general fund is like the state's checking account, with most of money coming from taxes and state investment income.

Schweitzer proposes nearly $80 million in new general fund spending over the next two years and the rest of the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2005. His recommendations will go to the 2005 Legislature for consideration.

Martz's recommended surplus was $163 million by mid-2007.

Schweitzer's budget calls for leaving a projected $80 million general fund surplus as of mid-2007, although it is now $94 million. Schweitzer proposes to spend down the surplus to $80 million through a pay increase for state employees that is yet to be negotiated, more money for water adjudication and other unidentified programs.

I understand that a new regime has taken over and needs to put its stamp on things to feel important but this makes it sound like by just spending more money they think they are automatically doing a better job. Spending more money doesn't mean they are doing a better job, it just means they are spending more money.

Continuing on his "New Day in Montana" theme, Schweitzer said, "This New Day budget reflects my vision as we begin to move Montana forward. Good-paying jobs, quality public education and stronger families are my priorities for the state."

Reading the article the only place the budget helps in these priorities is good-paying jobs, as long as your employed by the government.

The 2003 Legislature froze state employees' pay for 18 months, and most employees will get a 25-cent an hour increase, starting Saturday, for the final six months of the two-year budget period. The Martz administration proposed matching 3 percent raises in each of the next two years. State employee unions, which backed Schweitzer for governor, want to resume negotiations after the Democrat takes office. Ewer said the administration wants to offer more than the 3 and 3 percent raises, but that will be up to negotiations.

The government is not the only employer in the state nor should it be. By automatically offering them higher wages you are ensuring their support in future elections. Pretty savvy I guess if you are looking at the long haul.

It really bothers me the assumption that spending more money is good. Can anybody explain to me how this is automatically good. In my business I try reduce my expenditures. I realize that business and government are two different beasts but some things still apply and spending money for spending sake is not one of them but that's the joys of our form of government. Buying off voters.

The typical American of today has lost all the love of liberty, that his forefathers had, and all their disgust of emotion, and pride in self- reliance. He is led no longer by Davy Crocketts; he is led by cheer leaders, press agents, word mongers, uplifters H. L. Mencken

As usual I must be missing something here. The number of people dead from the weekend tsunami keeps rising every hour. Tight now the number is over 50,000. I know this number is going to go higher yet and it's just unfathomable to me.

Then I see this story talking about all the Americans killed in the disaster. Twelve so far. Twelve out of over 50,000 and they report it like it is signifigant. What, since there Americans they are more important than everybody else that has lost thier life or family members in this disaster? The scope of the disaster is so large who cares if they are Americans or Indians or Thais or whatever else. They are people and thier nationality doesn't matter. Helping each other does.



One side note on this disaster. Thier are uncomfirmed reports that the government of Thailand considered issuing a tsunami warning and decided not to because it might hurt the tourism industry.

The Thai government has generally maintained that it has done what it could under intensely difficult circumstances, with little warning and limited resources. But a front-page story published Tuesday in a Bangkok newspaper, the Nation, reported that Thai officials were aware of the possibility of the tsunami early Sunday morning -- more than an hour before it hit -- but rejected suggestions of an evacuation, fearing the consequences for the tourism industry during one of the busiest weeks of the year. The report could not be independently confirmed.

If this is true how many extra people lost thier lives because of this decision. Quite a burden for somebodies soul that's for sure.

If you would judge, understand. Lucius Annaeus Seneca

A cowboy lay sprawled across three entire seats in the posh Amarillo theatre. When the usher came by and noticed this he whispered to the cowboy, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed one seat." The cowboy groaned but didn't budge. The usher became more impatient. "Sir, if you don't get up from there, I'm going to have to call the manager. The cowboy just groaned.

The usher marched briskly back up the aisle. In a moment he returned with the manager. Together the two of them tried repeatedly to move the cowboy, but with no success. Finally, they summoned the police. The cop surveyed the situation briefly then asked, "All right buddy, what's you're name?"

"Sam," the cowboy moaned.

"Where ya from, Sam?"

With pain in his voice Sam replied.... "The balcony."

A joke is a very serious thing. Winston Churchill

The force of mother nature is truly astounding. I mean what can you say when faced with devestation of this magnitude. No matter what the failsafes we build in this world, mother nature will outwit them and wreck destruction. It has always been that way and will continue to be that way. Unbelievable.

Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. Gilbert K. Chesterton

At best the family teaches the finest things human beings can learn from one another-generosity and love. But it is also, all too often, where we learn nasty things like hate, rage and shame. Barbara Ehrenreich

The opposite of love is not to hate but to separate. If love and hate have something in common it is because, in both cases, their energy is that of bringing and holding together-the lover with the loved, the one who hates with the hated. Both passions are tested by separation. John Berger

The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. Elie Wiesel

Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right. Crystal Eastman

Indifference is an excellent substitute for patience. Mason Cooley

Cowboy Christmas Prayer

I ain't much good at prayin', and You may not know me, Lord--
I ain't much seen in churches where they preach Thy Holy Word,
But You may have observed me out here on the lonely plains,
A-lookin' after cattle, feelin' thankful when it rains,
Admirin' Thy great handiwork, the miracle of grass,
Aware of Thy kind Spirit in the way it comes to pass
That hired men on horseback and the livestock that we tend
Can look up at the stars at night and know we've got a Friend.

So here's ol' Christmas comin' on, remindin' us again
Of Him whose comin' brought goodwill into the hearts of men.
A cowboy ain't no preacher, Lord, but if You'll hear my prayer,
I'll ask as good as we have got for all men everywhere.
Don't let no hearts be bitter, Lord; don't let no child be cold.
Make easy beds for them that's sick, and them that's weak and old.
Let kindness bless the trail we ride, no matter what we're after,
And sorta keep us on Your side, in tears as well as laughter.

I've seen old cows a-starvin', and it ain't no pretty sight:
Please don't leave no one hungry, Lord,
On Thy good Christmas night--
No man, no child, no woman, and no critter on four feet--
I'll aim to do my best to help You find 'em chuck to eat.

I'm just a sinful cowpoke, Lord,--ain't got no business prayin'--
But still I hope You'll ketch a word or two of what I'm a-sayin':
We speak of Merry Christmas, Lord--I reckon You'll agree
There ain't no Merry Christmas for nobody that ain't free.
So one thing more I'll ask You, Lord: just help us what You can
To save some seeds of freedom for the future sons of man!

S. Omar Barker

Santa's Prayer on Christmas Eve

By Warren D. Jennings

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household before the first light,
I'll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart.

My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track.
I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord, only through You,
I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

If I only had half the money some people wasted I would be a rich man.





Spending $50,000 for a clone of your cat is a waste of money no matter how you cut it. Lots of cats out there waiting to be adopted. What is really funny is she wanted her anonymity to start with and then posed for the picture. Unless she's a recluse her idenity will get out.

Don't get me wrong here, it's her money to spend as she will but I personally think it's a waste.

Waste your money and you're only out of money, but waste your time and you've lost a part of your life. Michael Leboeuf

I must be losing all sense of right and wrong.

The widow of a deputy sheriff who fell from a motel balcony after a night of drinking at a law enforcement conference is entitled to receive worker compensation death benefits

So, a law enforcment officer, while partying after the confrences normal hours, is considered "on duty" and because he is drunk, while on duty, kills himself and workers comp has to pay death benifits. This is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a long time. This is so stupid it leaves me speechless.

I have Dalinian thought: the one thing the world will never have enough of is the outrageous. Salvador Dali

I mentioned in the previous post that it felt funny feeding the cattle with no snow on the ground. I had to start feeding everything though due to the lack of good quality graze though. I finally started to feed the cows some hay since they looked good but thier energy levels were starting to droop. Monitoring the animals so they don't get in bad shape isn't that hard, it just takes observation of what thier doing and when and you can tell if they are hurting.

There are some horses I see every day belonging to a neighborthat had two old mares not running with the herd and were starting to look extremly poor. These people couldn't miss them since they were standing on thier doorstep but they weren't feeding them or opening water for them. I normally don't have much truck with these people so I let it out on the Montana grapevine that if these horses didn't start getting fed some dire consequences were going to happen to the owners. Imagine that, in a couple of days they started feeding the horses and opening some water and the horses started looking better real short like. I really hated having to say something but taking care of your critters is a ranchers responsibility and people who don't feed thier critters enough and let them die ought to be shot.

What really made me talk about this was this little clip I found about 38 head of cattle starving to death because they were not getting eough nutrition. A little observation would have saved them all from a slow death. It just sickens me.

If all responsibility is imposed on you, then you may want to exploit the moment and want to be overwhelmed by the responsibility; yet if you try, you will notice that nothing was imposed on you, but that you are yourself this responsibility. Franz Kafka

A few days ago I griped that it looked like it was not going to be a white Christmas. My how things change.

SNOW ADVISORY

Northern Big Horn (Montana)

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BILLINGS MT
346 AM MST WED DEC 22 2004
.A DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA TODAY AND BRING PERIODS OF
SNOW THROUGH THIS EVENING. THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL FALL OVER THE
MOUNTAINS AND NEAR THE SLOPES. SNOW WILL ALSO DEVELOP ACROSS
THE PLAINS FROM LIVINGSTON TO BILLINGS TODAY AS AN ARCTIC
COLD FRONT MOVES SLOWLY THROUGH THE AREA. ARCTIC HIGH PRESSURE
WILL MOVE INTO SOUTHEAST MONTANA OVERNIGHT. THE VERY COLD AIR
COMBINED WITH GUSTY WINDS...WILL BRING VERY COLD WIND CHILL
TEMPERATURES.
MTZ028-029-034-035-040>042-057-063-230000-
GOLDEN VALLEY MT-JUDITH GAP MT-MUSSELSHELL MT-NORTHERN BIG HORN MT-
NORTHERN PARK MT-NORTHERN STILLWATER MT-NORTHERN SWEET GRASS MT-
SOUTHERN WHEATLAND MT-YELLOWSTONE MT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BIG TIMBER...BILLINGS...COLUMBUS...
HARDIN...HARLOWTON AND ROUNDUP
346 AM MST WED DEC 22 2004
...SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM MST THIS EVENING...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BILLINGS MT HAS ISSUED A SNOW
ADVISORY.
SNOW WILL DEVELOP OVER THE AREA THIS MORNING AND INCREASE IN
INTENSITY BY EARLY AFTERNOON. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES
WILL BE POSSIBLE.
A SNOW ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN LIGHT SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BUT
ONLY ENOUGH TO CAUSE MINOR INCONVENIENCES SUCH AS TRAVEL DELAYS. NO
SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

I just told the hired man the other day it didn't seem right to be feeding the cows with no snow on the ground. Now at least it will fell right to be feeding and a white Christmas on the way. All feels right in this little corner of the world (except for the extremly cold temperatures expected with the storm, gotta take the good with the bad though).

As for the terms good and bad, they indicate no positive quality in things regarded in themselves, but are merely modes of thinking, or notions which we form from the comparison of things with one another. Baruch (Benedict) Spinoza