As many here in Missouri can attest to, we have been in dire need of rain lately. Our pastures were beginning to show stress from the heat and lack of moisture. Our garden suffered as well, though we watered it diligently. Even our livestock was being affected. The Highlands hid all day in the woods to stay cool in the shade and our hogs lay lazily in their pens. So a couple of days ago we prayed for rain during our family devotions. I’m sure that more believers were also praying. Yesterday morning when I woke up I got right on the internet to visit Accuweather. The prediction was a small thunderstorm with another possibility of a thunderstorm on Sunday and on Monday. Thank the Lord for the rain. It is a blessing and a testimony of the Lord’s mercy when He answers prayer.
On Friday night we were discussing our dun colored Highland cow, whom we call Irene Dunn. We were wondering if she was really pregnant, as we were told by the man who sold us the Highlands. She did not look pregnant, but we went through the process of counting the months since we got her and decided that sometime in September is the latest that she would give birth. If no calf appears, then we have acquired ourselves a cow that was good for food but not for breeding. Well, as is my daily morning task, this morning I headed to the Highlands to make sure that they had enough water. There was thunder emanating from just over the mountain and a light drizzle began to fall. As I approached the paddock with the Highlands, this is what I saw. (not this particular scene but this little critter)
This little fellow surprised us all.
Not a good picture but you can see how small he is.
This little fellow now makes 8 head of cattle total.
Here is the papa.
This is the spring bull calf and his mama.
And this is the spring bull calf's older sister.
I went back to the house to tell the others about the newest arrival, so we all got in the truck and drove to see it together. You should have heard all the oohs and aahhs and, “isn’t he cute?” – enough to embarrass any real cowpoke. Fortunately I’m not a ‘real cowpoke” – just some guy who has a few funny looking cows, so my father’s heart just enjoyed my wife and children enjoying this new little blessing. Just a side note. There was some concern over how the last new bull was treated by the others, so we watched closely to see if this one would be picked on as well. To our surprise, nothing like the last one. This time Irene walked away from the calf and watched as each of the others came one at a time, sniffed the little one, and went back to whatever it was that occupied them.
Like Gracie said, it’s as if Irene was indicating “Visiting hours are now open”.
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